‘Varisu’ is mostly successful in what it wants to be: a wave of nostalgia for Vijay fans and a safe ‘masala’ film. It can be enjoyed with the family, and Vijay has certainly played his cards well to ensure Pongal success. 

Ajith Kumar teams up with H. Vinoth once again following their moderate success with ‘Nerkonda Parvai’ and moderate failure with ‘Valimai.’ Now, the duo return with their take on the heist film, ‘Thunivu.’

Responding to landmark sanctions announced by the Canadian government on former Sri Lankan presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, General Secretary of the Rajapaksa-dominated Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sagara Kariyawasam, condemned the move by applauding the action of the Rajapaksa to end the war.

In announcing the sanctions, the Canadian government stress the role of the Rajapaksa in “gross and systematic violations of human rights during the armed conflict in Sri Lanka”.

Following the announcement of the Canadian government of sanctions on the Rajapaksa brothers, and other Sri Lankan state officials, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister has summoned the acting High Commissioner of Canada,Eric Walsh, “to raise concerns”.

According to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, the Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry, warned the Canadian High Commissioner that Canada’s unilateral actions “sets a dangerous precedent and is inimical to Sri Lanka’s interests”.

Responding to the announced sanctions by the Canadian government on former Sri Lankan Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa, as well as two other state officials, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has hit back claiming that these actions are a “violation of the rights that Canada claims to uphold”.

The Canadian sanctions marked a historic milestone as they sanctioned two former Sri Lankan presidents for their role in perpetuating egregious human violations against Tamils during the armed conflict.

Rival political parties, the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) have agreed to form an alliance and contest the local elections together.

Following weeks of disappointing negotiations with Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has put forward a seven-day ultimatum to meet three key demands.

The three demands are:

Responding to the Canadian government imposing historic sanctions on the former president and prime minister of Sri Lanka, British MP Gareth Thomas has slammed the British government for its failure to follow suit.

With the announcement of local elections across the island, the Tamil National Alliance, the largest alliance representing Tamils in the North-East, is in flux over divisions between and within the constituent parties.

US-based advocacy organisation People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) welcomed Canada's targeted sanctions against the Rajapaksa brothers and other Sri Lankan military officials but urged the international community to go further to ensure justice and accountability for Tamils.