A member of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) was refused entry into Sri Lanka on January 11 after landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with his family, Ceylon Today reports. 

Suresnath Ratnabalam, who formerly held the title of 'TGTE MP' was stopped by immigration officials at passport control as he is reportedly on a blacklist. 

Mr Ratnabalam and his family were deported. They were placed on a Bangkok bound flight, the paper reported. 

Residents and kite enthusiasts gathered at Valvettithurai Uthayasooriyan coast on Sunday to enjoy the Thai Pongal kite competition. 

Sri Lankan election officials are to check the backgrounds of candidates standing for election at the upcoming local government polls, the Sunday Times reports. 

The directive came from the Election Commission which ordered District Assistant Commissioners to check if candidates had criminal records and if any former public servants standing for election were adhering to election law. 

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena has overruled a decision to lift the ban preventing women from buying or selling alcohol amid an outcry among Buddhist clergy. 

Mr Sirisena's actions come just days after the government announced its decision to amend the law. 

Senior Buddhist monks criticised the lifting of the ban arguing it would causing women to become addicted to alcohol and lead to the break down of 'Sri Lankan culture'. 

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has concluded the president, Maithripala Sirisena can only serve five years in office. 

The decision, made by a bench of five judges - Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Eva Wanasundare, Buvaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew and K. Chitrasiri, conveyed its ruling to the Presidential Secretariat on Sunday, the Daily Mirror reports. 

The case against three Trincomalee temple administrators accusing them of damaging archaelogical artefacts has been concluded following an agreed settlement.

Three members of the Soodaikuda temple board who were arrested for "damaging archaeological artefacts" after complaints from Buddhist monks were remanded until the 11th to allow the Sri Lankan archaeology department and Sampur police to come up with evidence.

The case was concluded on the 11th by the Muthur magistrate's court when the three board members as well as four other helpers who were charged agreed to pay a settlement of 25,000 rupees each.

The Tamil people’s political aspirations remain unfulfilled, the TNA leader and Leader of the Opposition has said.

“The Tamil people’s long-standing aspiration for a lasting political solution to the national question still remains unattained,” the TNA leader, R. Sampanthan said in his Thaipongal message.

Wishing Tamils a "very happy Thai Pongal", the chair of the UK's All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT), Paul Scully MP reiterated the call for the Sri Lankan government to implement the UN Human Rights Council resolution it cosponsored. 

The Mayor of London sent Tamils his Thai Pongal wishes today.

Publishing the wishes on social media, Mayor Sadiq Khan said “Iniya Pongal Nalvazhthukkal! Wishing Tamils in London and around the world who celebrate this festival of harvest a happy, peaceful and bountiful Thai Pongal.”

Tamil Canadians help make Canada stronger, more open, and more inclusive, the Canadian Prime Minister said.

“In January, we also mark Tamil Heritage Month, and reflect on the important contributions of Canada’s Tamil community,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his Thai Pongal message.