The 46th death anniversary of S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, also known as Thanthai Chelva, was commemorated in Jaffna Town and in Thellipalai. The commemoration was organised by the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Trust. Thanthai Chelva, who is widely regarded as the father of Tamil Nationalism, was remembered for his immense contribution to the Tamil struggle for self-determination in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s president has announced the government will hold separate discussions with China and the Paris Club, including India, as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to manage the island’s debts.

The announcement comes amidst a dire economic crisis that has seen mass inflation and shortages in basic necessities such as food, fuel and medicine. 

The US announced that former Sri Lankan Naval Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and his wife are now banned from entering the U.S. due to his involvement in human rights violations. 

“The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible,” Secretary Anthony Blinken said in a press statement. 

Photograph courtesy of Transformative Justice Collective

Singapore hanged Tanagaraju Suppiah over drug smuggling charges despite global pleas for clemency to be exercised. 

Photograph courtesy of Transformative Justice Collective

The family of Singaporean Tamil Tangaraju Suppiah are calling on President Halimah Yacob to exercise clemency to stop Tanagaraju's execution tomorrow after his review application was summarily dismissed earlier today. 

British Tamil diaspora organisations have expressed their solidarity with the North-East as it carries out a hartal today to protest the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland.

In a statement, the British Tamil Conservatives, Tamil Friends of Liberal Democrats and Tamils for Labour said: 

A hartal opposing the Sri Lanka's new anti-terror legislation and the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland has caused a complete halt to all economic activities and movement of the public across the North-East. 

Jaffna University's student union have expressed their concerns over the proposed Anti Terrorism Act which they state will curtail freedom of expression and association. 

On April 22nd, a tragic incident occurred in Delft, Sri Lanka. Two men and three women were murdered in a house near the jetty and in the vicinity of the Naval base. One woman is in critical condition and has been admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment. The victims included the owner of the house, one other person who lives in Jaffna, and three people who were visiting from abroad. The person visiting from London was Velayudampillai Nagenthira Ratnam, age 78. The other victims were Naganathi Balasingham, age 82, Balasingham Kanmanipillai, age 76, Karthikesu Nageswari, age 83, and Mahadevan, age 75. 

On April 22nd, many Muslims in Vavuniya and Mannar celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Several mosques in the area held special services that brought together many believers.