The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) came out and declared it would not back the merging of the Northern and Eastern provinces, as demanded by Tamil parties, stating that it was the “ambition of separatists”.

JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said the National People's Power (NPP) coalition which is led by the party, would not back the proposal.

Sri Lankan presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he was willing to “suffer any punishment on behalf of” the Sri Lankan military in order to protect troops from allegations of rights abuses.

The Daily Mirror reports Premadasa as telling a rally this week that he would “take full responsibility” over what he claimed were “allegations made against the Sri Lankan Security Forces”.

In an article for the Jacobin, former Australian senator Lee Rhiannon, draws upon Ben Hiller's new book "Losing Santhia: Life and Loss in the Struggle for Tamil Eelam", and argues the need to stand in solidarity Tamils who have faced genocide by the "exclusivist, chauvinist Sinhala-Buddhist state".

Extremist Buddhist monk, Gnanasara Thero, of the Sinhala nationalist Bodu Bala Sena organisation has been ordered to appear in court on November 8, for violating a court order. 

Tamils gathered in front of the Home Office, today, demanding an end to the deportation of Tamil asylum seekers. 

The protest follows news that a Tamil student in London has been refused asylum and may be subject to administrative removal.
 

Students at the University of Jaffna held a vigil in memory of two of their peers who were shot dead by Sri Lankan police three years ago.

Media faculty students Nadarajah Kajan and Vijayakumar Sulaxan were shot dead as they were on their way home on a motorbike by Jaffna police officers in Kokkuvil on October 20, 2016, sparking protests across the North-East, further around the island and internationally.

Sri Lanka's upcoming presidential election may bring a new face to power, but concerns remain from Tamils on the island and around the world that their plight may remain unchanged.

Memorial services for the slain Tamil journalist, Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, was held in Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Jaffna, on the 19th anniversary of his death. 

The event in Vavuniya was attended by the families of the disappeared who have continued their protests across the North-East. Current journalists in Jaffna and Batticaloa also held vigils for their slain colleague.

The vigil in Batticaloa was attended by the mayor of the city and other politicians.