The European Union (EU) announced it would provide a grant of €22 million to Sri Lanka to help support its struggling economy in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak after ambassadors met with Basil Rajapaksa this week.

“Sri Lanka’s very low number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far is impressive,” the EU said in a statement. “To support Sri Lankan efforts further, the European Union is targeting three sectors: health, agriculture and tourism.”

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it would donate $1.3 million USD to Sri Lanka to help support coronavirus prevention efforts, which are currently being led by a commander who is barred from travel to the US.

“Funding will provide Sri Lanka support to activate case finding and event-based surveillance, technical experts for response and preparedness, risk communication, infection prevention and control, and more,” said the US embassy in a press release earlier today.

“The lack of civilian oversight over Sri Lanka’s militarised COVID-19 response raises some very serious human rights concerns,” the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) said in a press release.

“Sri Lanka has an alleged war criminal heading its COVID-19 response, who served in the same army regiment as the President, raising questions about transparency, accountability and oversight,” Yasmin Sooka, ITJP’s Executive Director said.

Infographic by ITJP

The Sri Lankan police have arrested three Tamils in Jaffna this week, alleging that they are members of the ‘Aava gang’ responsible for various acts of violence in the region.

The three were part of a larger group who were reportedly celebrating a birthday celebrating at a home on Mallakam Church Lane, though authorities allege many managed to evade arrest.

Sri Lankan police also confiscated at least 5 motorcycles that were parked in front of the house.

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP), has urged the Sri Lanka government to ensure that families of the missing and disappeared are included as beneficiaries for rations and other state assistance schemes, to help with the difficulties of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

A letter addressed to Sri Lanka’s President, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force was sent out by the OMP chairman, Saliya Pieris yesterday (7^th April). 

With healthcare workers across the globe working to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, we look at some of the Tamils on the frontlines of the battle to save lives.

From nurses and doctors to our paramedics and porters, every single contribution is invaluable. And alongside thousands of other workers, the Tamil community has been actively involved in efforts to fight the pandemic.

We will be highlighting stories of healthcare workers around the world who are working to keep us all safe.

<p>Residents of a Mullaitivu area have expressed opposition to Sri Lankan soldiers being quarantined in the midst of their communities.</p> <p>Soldiers returning to Mullaitivu from holidays in their home districts are being quarantined as part of the Sri Lankan government’s attempts to curb the spread of coronavirus. A school building in Keppapulavu model village and a community building in the recently released Pilavu village have been designated as quarantine camps.</p> <p>Locals have opposed the use of these buildings due to concerns about the close proximity of residential buildings in the area.</p>

Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) president and former Parliamentarian Selvam Adaikalanathan, has urged the Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take immediate action to release political prisoners, just as the other prisoners have been released recently amid coronavirus (COVID-19) fears.

Adaikalanathan emphasized the various difficulties that the political prisoners have been subject to whilst in prison to be considered.

The British Tamil Conservatives (BTC) have sent out a message of support to Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as he is moved to an intensive care unit in a London hospital after suffering from coronavirus symptoms.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his family tonight,” said a spokesperson from the BTC.

This week marks 11 years since thousands of British Tamils began a 73 day long continuous protest at Parliament Square in London, as the Sri Lankan government ramped up a military offensive that had already massacred tens of thousands.