Sri Lanka’s new president Anura Dissanayake has been in power for less than a week but already has brought about a range of changes. From his appointment of Harini Amarasuriya as prime minister to his rapid stripping down on unnecessary government expenditure and pledge to stamp out corruption, many on the island have been pleasantly surprised by his seemingly progressive early moves. But it has not all been positive for the newly crowned president. For the Tamil people, the few steps he has taken so far have been disappointing.

More than a year after a set of skeletons presumed to be those of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters were unearthed from a mass grave in Kokkuthoduvai, their details are finally to be made public after repeated delays and accusations of a cover-up.

The World Bank has extended its congratulations to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while reaffirming its commitment to support Sri Lanka as the country embarks on resetting its economy. In a letter signed by Martin Raiser, Vice President for the South Asia Region, and Riccardo Puliti, Vice President for Asia and the Pacific at the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank reiterated its readiness to assist as Dissanayake leads the nation forward.

Jaffna MP C VWigneswaran has confirmed that he will withdraw from the running in the upcoming General Election, which is to be held on November 14th, stating that the opportunity should be given to Tamil youths to enter parliament instead.

In a statement released to the media, he says that he has decided not to contest so that this space could be given to the youth instead. He said he would continue to stay in Jaffna and engage in political activities in his capacity. 

Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sri Lanka's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'RD' (Restricted Default) and its Long-Term Local-Currency IDR at 'CCC', citing concerns that the recent election of Anura Dissanayake as president, adds "uncertainty to the country’s policy direction".

Sri Lanka's newest Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath kicked off his tenure by thanking Saudia Arabia for supporting Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, where Colombo is rejecting calls for an international accountability mechanism for atrocities committed against Tamils.

Herath, a senior Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader, was speaking at Saudi Arabia’s National Day event in Colombo this week, shortly after he was appointed as foreign minister.

Tamils across the North-East are marking 37 years since the death of Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the LTTE, who fasted unto death in a protest appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people.

Two days before Thileepan began his fast, he put forward five demands  to the Indian government following the signing of the Indo-Lanka accord in July 1987.  The 23 year old passed away after refusing food and water for 11 days. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to intervene following a spate of arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka and the punishment, including hefty fines, subsequently meted out. 

In his inaugural address this week, newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged to dismantle divisions rooted in race, religion, and ethnicity, despite the fact that Sri Lanka has been deeply divided along these lines for decades. Speaking in a televised address, Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka’s future depends on fostering unity among all its citizens, regardless of whether they identify as Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, or Malay.

Today marks 37 years since the death of Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the LTTE who fasted to death, in a protest appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people.

Today marks 37 years since the death of Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the LTTE who fasted to death, in a protest appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people.