“I didn’t make it like it was my first film. I made it like it was my last.”

Lawrence Valin sat down with Tamil Guardian, returning from the Toronto International Film Festival having sold out two screenings of his debut feature film ‘Little Jaffna’. The groundbreaking film was also selected to be screened at the Zurich Film Festival and chosen as a closing film at the Venice International Film Festival.

On November 8, 2006, in the early morning hours, Tamil civilians in Kathiravelli, northern Batticaloa, became the tragic victims of a deadly artillery exchange between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan military. The conflict in the Vakarai area had been intensifying for weeks, with both sides shelling each other's positions. But for the 2,000 displaced Tamil civilians taking refuge in the Vigneshwara Vidyalayam school compound, this day would end in unspeakable tragedy.

In a ruling that highlights the frequent misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against Tamils in the North-East, the Vavuniya High Court has acquitted three individuals charged under the act, citing insufficient evidence. High Court Judge Ilanchezhiyan delivered the verdict, stating that the Attorney General's Department had failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Employees of the Palmyrah Development Board (PDB) in Kaithady, Jaffna, staged a demonstration outside the board’s offices, voicing opposition to the recent appointment of Vinayakamurthy Sahadeva as the new chairman. The protest comes after the former chairman Mariapillai Selvin was removed from his post. 

A foreign company has reportedly paid Tamil residents Rs. 3000 each to protest in favour of sand mining along the Mannar coastline. This payment, is intended to encourage support for a sand mining project on Mannar Island, which has been staunchly opposed by locals. The protest took place on Wednesday morning this week along the Thalaimannar main road in Erukalam Pitti, where locals gathered to voice their support for mining despite widespread opposition from the majority of Mannar’s residents.

Former LTTE member and rehabilitated cadre K. Inbarasa has called on Tamil families to rally behind his candidacy in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka, presenting it as an opportunity for the Tamil community to gain representation and a voice in government. Speaking at a media conference in Vavuniya, Inbarasa emphasized the unique position of rehabilitated LTTE members in addressing the needs and grievances of Eelam Tamils, urging a united front to advance Tamil interests.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence dismissed rumours of a military withdrawal from temples and religious sites, asserting that troops stationed for 'security' would remain, as Buddhist shrines continue to be erected across the Tamil North-East.

The Ministry’s statement, led by Colonel Nalin Herath, clearly rejected social media claims suggesting a reduction in military presence.

Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power (NPP) has said any decision on the proposed construction of a wind farm in Mannar by India’s Adani group, will now only be taken in January 2025, despite previous pledges to cancel the deal.