Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told ITAK parliamentarian S. Shritharan that no detention order has been issued against detained Tamil rapper Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as he continues to be held in prison.

Shritharan said he held a telephone discussion with Dissanayake regarding the release of the Kilinochchi-born artist, also known as Hip Hop Sangee, who was arrested earlier this month over songs he performed and shared online.

Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been officially named as a suspect in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 individuals in Colombo and its suburbs, in incidents believed to have been carried out for ransom.

A memorial event honouring veteran Tamil nationalist singer and lyricist Thenisai Sellappa was held in T Nagar, Chennai, on Saturday (June 6), bringing together supporters and members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) to commemorate his life and contribution to the Tamil national cause.

Nine skeletal remains, including those of eight children, were fully exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave on Tuesday (June 9) as excavations at the site continued to uncover further evidence of burials.

The excavation marked the 20th day of work under the third phase of investigations at the Chemmani mass grave. During Tuesday’s proceedings, nine skeletal remains that had previously been identified, including eight belonging to children, were completely exhumed.