The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung met with Tamil families of the disappeared, former combatants, and former Prevention of Terrorism (PTA) detainees, where she reiterated the inherent right of the families to mourn and memorialise their dead.

Chung who is currently touring Jaffna, said on X:

Remnants from Mullivaikkal were on display as survivors spoke at the launch of the second edition of Mullivakkal Stories by Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research in Jaffna.

Among some of the items shown were the limited options for food such as the Mullivaikkal Kanji, vaipan, rice and lentils, and fried roti. When food, aid, and medicines were cut off to Tamil Eelam during the last stages of the armed conflict, Tamils relied on these foods to sustain themselves. 

The University of Jaffna has displayed artwork on campus to mark 15 years since the Tamil genocide where tens of thousands of Tamils were brutally massacred at the hands of the Sri Lankan armed forces. 

Some of artwork depict the atrocities, such as extrajudicial killings, carried out by Sri Lanka's military during the final months of the conflict. 

Sri Lankan police officers obstructed Tamils in Pillaiyaradi, Batticaloa, from distributing kanji to mark the sixth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week. 

This is the second time this week that Tamils in Batticaloa have been blocked by Sri Lankan police from distributing kanji as part of their commemorations. 

Writing in Scroll.In, Meenakshi Ganguly, the Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that the "unaddressed legacy of war" has led to Sri Lanka's "abuse, impunity and misgovernance that still blight the country."

Ganguly highlights that although 15 years have passed since the genocide at Mullivaikkal, there has been no justice or accountability for the Tamil community. 

Members of the US Congress reiterated their support for a landmark resolution this week, calling for an independence referendum for Eelam Tamils and recognising the genocide committed against them by the Sri Lankan state.

Shortly after introducing the resolution and speeches on the Congress floor, members addressed an event at the Library of Congress. Over 100 Tamils from across the United States and around the world were in attendance to mark the occasion.

US House Representative Wiley Nickel told Congress that a resolution supporting an independence referendum for Eelam Tamils is a “crucial step towards healing, justice and a lasting peace”.

The Jaffna Teachers Association and student union denounced the move by the Sri Lankan government to stop remembrance commemorations ahead of  May 18, also known as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day.

Jaffna - Kantharmadam

An event was organized in Kantharmadam in Jaffna today to mark the sixth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week as Tamils around the world commemorate 15 years since the Tamil genocide. Parents brought their children and explained to them the struggles of Tamils and how they were massacred during the final stages of the armed conflict. At the event, Mullivaikkal Kanji was prepared and served as a reminder of the genocide and atrocities committed by the Sri Lanka Security Forces. 

US House Representative Don Davis told Congress “we must stand with the Eelam Tamil community,” as he spoke to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of the Tamil genocide.

“I rise to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka,” the Democratic Representative told Congress.