Sri Lankan police and intelligence officers amassed to intimidate locals at the annual Thai Pongal celebration in Mullaitivu’s Neeraviyadi Pillaiyar Temple yesterday.

As the 43rd annual Chennai Book Fair got underway this month, vendors reported that books related to the LTTE and Eelam Tamils were still in high demand, despite opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A number of books emblazoned with the image of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran were evident throughout a number of stalls, whilst vendors continued to have books on the genocide in Sri Lanka and the Tamil Eelam struggle. 

Sri Lanka’s defence secretary called on the British government to share military intelligence and technology to combat “terrorism”, as he slammed the Tamil diaspora in a meeting with Britain’s High Commissioner on Tuesday.

Kamal Gunaratne, who is himself accused of overseeing war crimes, told the UK’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton that his government was seeking “assistance in sharing military intelligence, technology and expertise in combating terrorism”.

The Sri Lankan military declared it was launching a search operation in Jaffna this morning, stating it was seeking to arrest a group of “young suspects” in Point Pedro following an alleged clash with soldiers.

In an official statement released online, the Sri Lankan military claimed a “clash” occurred “between some youngsters and a group of soldiers on mobile patrol”.

British Tamil rapper and activist M.I.A received an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to music from Prince William at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, and highlighted how her mother who fled Sri Lanka as a refugee helped stitch the very medal she received.

Tamils in Eelam and around the world celebrated the festival of Thai Pongal on Wednesday.

A Chinese woman who came forward as a victim of gang rape that was reportedly led by a Sri Lankan Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) politician is still awaiting justice, more than 10 months after the assault.

So far, the woman has filed multiple complaints including with the Asian Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Human Rights Council. Her case has been heard four times at the Galle Magistrate's Court, with a further hearing scheduled for January 22.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the contribution made by British Tamils to life in the UK, stating that their “fantastic contribution makes a real difference” in a Thai Pongal message released this morning.  

“Tradiationally this day of worship celebrates the arrival of the harvest,” said Johnson. “But I also want to celebrate the contribution of Tamils in the UK.”

He went on to add,

The leader of the UK Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn thanked the British Tamil community and commemorated “sacrifices made by the Tamil people for their human rights, for peace and for justice in Sri Lanka” in a message to mark Thai Pongal this morning.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Tamil community in the UK for the many important contributions it’s made and continues to make all over the country,” said the video messaged released by the Labour leader.