Sri Lanka has announced that local government polls will be held before the end of February.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP MA Sumanthiran has announced that the party will need to rethink its strategy of engagement with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe unless his government produces “actual progress” before the next discussion on 10 January.

Sri Lanka has agreed to present a report on the steps it has taken to improve its human rights record under the fourth Universal Periodic Review Cycle of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The review is to be held on 1 February. The Sri Lankan government has responded to the review stating:

Canadian politicians from across the political spectrum put out statements and tweets wishing the Tamil-Canadian community for Tamil Heritage month in Canada.

In his statement member of parliament (MP) Ahmed Hussen stated that “January marks the beginning of Tamil Heritage month in Canada, a time to reflect on the rich history, culture, resiliency, and strength of the Tamil communities across the country.”

Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre wished Tamil-Canadians a happy Tamil Heritage month in his statement. Poilievre emphasized that Canada will always remain an ally to the Tamil community.

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan at his residence, where the two discussed the issues faced by Tamils on the island.

Sri Lanka froze the hiring of civil servants and introduced new taxes and higher electricity prices in measures aimed at addressing its current economic crisis. 

Former exiled Sri Lankan president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has applied to restore his US citizenship after renouncing this citizenship to be able to contest the 2019 elections, as dual citizens are unable to stand for the presidency.

In July, Rajapaksa was forced to flee Sri Lanka amidst mass demonstrations triggered by the country’s economic collapse. In his attempt to find a safe haven, Rajapaksa was refused asylum in the US.

Colombo High Court have issued a court order summoning former Northern Provincial Councillor M K Shivajilingham for commemorating Lt Col Thileepan. 

Last week, Valvettithurai police went to Shivajilingham's home to serve him the court order which calls Shivajilingham to be at Colombo High Court on January 11. 

On September 15, 2020, Shivajilingham was arrested by Sri Lankan police as he attempted to pay tribute to Lt Col Thileepan in Nallur, Jaffna.

Viswalingham Mannivannan resigned as Mayor of Jaffna last week after his 2023 budget for Jaffna Municipal Council was defeated by seven votes.

Mannivannan wrote to the Jaffna Municipal Commissioner and Local Government Commissioner to inform them of his decision to resign.

Sources close to Manivannan said that despite the opportunity to present the budget for the second time, Manivannan took the decision to resign after not getting the necessary support. 

Former British Prime Minister, David Cameron, met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a private visit to Sri Lanka, where he reportedly extended his best wishes to the president for the new year.