Tirunelveli market in Jaffna was bustling today as Tamils prepare for Thai Pongal. 

Overall, the core concept of ‘Raangi’ could have made for an enthralling and morally conflicting drama. Instead, Saravanan botches the delivery and presents a sloppy shell of a great film.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked the Tamil community for their service in the National Health Service (NHS) in a video message released this morning to mark Thai Pongal. 

Marking the harvest festival Thai Pongal, British MPs have issued statements expressing gratitude for the contribution of British Tamils to the UK and renewing their commitment to justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.

British leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer has raised concern over the continued persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka in his Thai Pongal message and stressed the need for accountability and justice.

Whilst celebrating the harvest festival, Starmer also stressed that now is a time “to remember the sacrifices made by the Tamil people for self-determination, peace, and justice in Sri Lanka”.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local governments, Neel Bandaranaike Hapuhinna, confirmed that Rs. 200 million has been allocated for the 75th Independence Day celebration taking place on 4 February at the Galle Face in Colombo. 

Hapuhinna stated that "we have estimated the budget for the 75th Independence Day celebration to be at Rs. 200 million and the Treasury has already made the necessary budgetary allocations for this. However, we are trying our best to minimize and cut down on costs."

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a 614 million rupee community-based tourism development project in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Korean Toursim Organization and the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to implement the tourism project. 

Responding to the announcement by the Canadian government on sanctions on former Sri Lankan Presidents Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, and other state officials, US Congressman Gregory Meeks has stressed the need for Sri Lanka to “take meaningful action on issues related to justice, accountability and reconciliation”.

On Twitter he stated:

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ordered former President Maithiripala Sirisena and other Sri Lankan officials to pay Rs. 100 million into a compensation fund for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and their families. 

‘Varisu’ is mostly successful in what it wants to be: a wave of nostalgia for Vijay fans and a safe ‘masala’ film. It can be enjoyed with the family, and Vijay has certainly played his cards well to ensure Pongal success.