Tamil residents of Chettikulam Vazhavaithakulam, Andiapuliankulam in Vavuniya staged a protest today demanding that the illegal construction of a dam be halted as it poses a grave risk to at least 80 families.

The protestors said that an individual had initiated the construction of the dam without any permission from the relevant authorities. They added that if the dam overflows, at least 80 families will have their homes submerged. 

Fisherfolk associations in the North-East have rejected claims made by Indian authorities that the Sri Lankan Navy is looting GPS tracking devices from Indian fishing trawlers. 

N.V. Kuppakamniyam, the head of the Northern Province Seafood Association told reporters in Jaffna that Indian authorities have painted them out to be akin to pirates, which is unfounded. 

Cash deposits have been placed for a total of 24 candidates to contest the 2024 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka. This also includes a bond for former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran who is to be a common candidate for the Eelam Tamils.

Tamils in Trincomalee remembered the victims of the Thiriyai massacre in which 12 Tamils were shot by Sri Lanka's security forces 39 years ago and called for the perpertrators to be held accountable. 

The families marked the massacre with a memorial, prayers, and floral tributes. 

Sri Lankan police in Mankulam have summoned Mullaitivu based journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan for interrogation this week, as the harassment of Tamil journalists by the security forces continues.

Police officers went to Thavseelan’s home when he was not home on August 7 and handed the summons to his family.

The summons ordered Thavaseelan to visit the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Police at Mankulam Police Station on Friday morning to record a statement for an investigation.

A group of Tamil political parties have endorsed the former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran to be a common candidate in next month’s presidential elections.

A group of Tamil political parties have endorsed the former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran to be a common candidate in next month’s presidential elections.

Sri Lanka’s cricket players are reportedly fearing for their security, as they prepare to tour England later this month, after far right riots flared across the UK this week.

"Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned," one player who is already in England told ESPNcricinfo. 

A Sri Lankan police officer shot dead three people, include a constable from the same police station, before turning his rifle on himself and committing suicide.

According to the Sri Lankan police, the 42-year-old shot dead killing a 33-year-old policeman, before going on to kill a 54-year-old woman and her 17-year-old daughter in the Eastern Province.

The police officer later returned to the station where he turned the gun on himself. He was pronounced dead upon admission to the hospital.

Investigations are reportedly ongoing.

The Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna paid their respects to Denzil Kobbekaduwa, marking his 32nd death anniversary at the memorial in Jaffna. Jaffna District Commander Chandana Wickramasinghe and other high officials of Sri Lanka's tri-forces participated in the event. This memorial is one of several built by the Sri Lankan military across the Tamil homeland. A statue of the commander also stands in Vavuniya.

After weeks of deliberating on who the presidential candidate would be for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, the party was forced to make its announcement following the withdrawal of business tycoon Dhammika Perera who voluntarily backed out.