Tamil Nadu prepares itself for the arrival of more Eelam Tamil refugees as the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka pushes civilians into abject poverty.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin has issued directives urging several government departments to be prepared to see the arrival of more Eelam Tamils. According to a senior bureaucrat, the Chief Minister has directed state officials to take a “benevolent view of the refugees”. Stalin has also previously met with Prime Minister Modi and expressed a desire to provide aid to Tamils.

Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) MP Selvaraja Gajendran has called on people to carry out a united May 18th Mullivaikkal commemoration. 

The comments were also echoed by the party's legal advisor Nadarajar Kandeepan, who said "The Mullivaikkal Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day will remember victims of Sri Lanka's Tamil genocide, reaffirm the recognition of the Tamil nation, and reiterate the rejection of the Unitary state and the 13th Amendment."

Oscar-winning musical composer A R Rahman posted an ode to the Tamil language on his social media accounts last week, in a powerful message that seemingly hit back an Indian minister’s remarks on how Hindi should be used across the country.

Rahman shared an illustration of “Thamizhanangu” of “Goddess Tamil” on his Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), one of Sri Lanka's most powerful trade unions, has declared a medical crisis as doctors and hospitals reported a widespread lack of medicine. 

The GMOA met last week and released a statement declaring a medical emergency.  

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) expressed that the associated military expenditure with waging the Mullivaikkal massacre in 2009, the continued occupation subjecting of the Tamil people, and the subjecting of Tamil people to structural genocide are the main factors behind Sri Lanka's current economic crisis. 

Responding to the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka, the Economist slams the governance of the Rajapaksa regime noting that their response has been “a mix of intimidation and ineptitude” which has produced “a political crisis to compound the economic disaster”.

At least nine journalists have been injured by Sri Lankan police during protests against the Rajapaksa regime amidst international calls for the government to respect the democratic rights of its citizens.

US Ambassador, Julie Chung stated on Twitter:

Sri Lankans have a right to protest peacefully - essential for democratic expression. I am watching the situation closely, and hope the coming days bring restraint from all sides, as well as much needed economic stability and relief for those suffering.

Responding to the unfolding economic and political crisis in Sri Lanka, 26 international Tamil student organisations stressed the need to recognise self-determination for Tamils as the only viable solution to Sri Lanka’s current woes.

"We want Gota" Protest held in Colombo supporting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pic.twitter.com/xShQG3ti7F

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) April 8, 2022

Around 100 protesters in Colombo have organized a rally in support of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lankan rupee has plunged to a record low and lags behind even Russia’s rouble, as a political and economic crisis grips the island.

The rupee now trades at over 300LKR to 1USD, a 32 per cent fall so far this year making it the worst performing currency in the world.

The fall comes as anti-government protests continues whilst embattled president Gotabaya Rajapaksa struggles to hold on to power.