Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (an ultra-nationalist Sri Lankan political party), Udaya Gammanpila, has alleged a global and well-financed conspiracy to denigrate Buddhism.

In his speech at the party headquarters yesterday, Gammanpila claimed that “leaders and priests of other religions fearlessly insult Buddhism” adding that “secularists who insult Buddhism also receive money from abroad”. 

The statement comes as there is increasing alarm of Buddhist majoritarianism in Sri Lanka. 

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation including Peter Breuer, the Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka took part in the Thai Pongal celebrations in Jaffna this week.

Memorial events were held across the North-East last month to pay homage to the late Tamil Nadu actor and political figure Vijayakanth, fondly known by his moniker ‘Captain’.

Vijayakanth's legacy encompasses not only his versatile acting career but also his contributions to Tamil Nadu's political landscape and his support for Eelam Tamils.

Tributes were paid in both Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Batticaloa to the late actor.

Marking Thai Pongal, Tamil New Year, London’s Mayor alongside a number of British MPs gathered in Ealing Amman temple to celebrate the festivities and thank the British Tamil community for their contribution to life in the UK.

Congressman Don Davis, Congresswoman Deborah Ross, and Representative Wiley Nickel have extended their wishes to the Tamil community for Thai Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival celebrated across the US and around the world.

As the festival marks a season of gratitude for the harvest, these US representatives took the opportunity to convey their best wishes to the Tamil community.

Rep. Wiley Nickel said “may this year's festival reflect the enduring spirit of Tamils around the world”.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling declaring a presidential pardon invalid for the first time in the country's history earlier today.

The battle to elect the next leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) has begun to heat up, as S Yogeswaran threw his support behind S Shritharan in Batticaloa last week, with the embattled political alliance set to choose a new head this weekend.

Speaking alongside Shritharan at a press conference in Batticaloa, Yogeswaran did not declare himself out of the race but did back his fellow ITAK member against the other candidacy of M A Sumanthiran.

The commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the Pongu Tamil Declaration took place at Jaffna University, marking a significant event in the region's history.

The leaders of the three main political parties in Canada, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, released statements to send their Thai Pongal wishes to the Tamil Canadian community this week.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement.

“Today, Tamil communities in Canada and around the world will mark the beginning of Thai Pongal, also known as the harvest festival.

Tamil farmers rallied through Batticaloa today on Patti Pongal to highlight their ongoing plight as illegal Sinhala settlers continue to destroy their livestock and grab their lands. 

Patti Pongal, also known as Maatu Pongal, is a festival celebrated by Tamils to give thanks to cattle for allowing farmers to cultivate and harvest their crops. Cows are often bathed and adorned with flower garlands and bells.