The Tamil National Alliance and members of the Global Tamil Forum met with the US State Department in Washington last week, as they discussed “political representation [and] reconciliation as part of a wholistic transitional justice agenda”.

The main flame pillar used to commemorate fallen fighters at an LTTE cemetery in Mannar was destroyed last night, in an act of vandalism that comes amidst a crackdown in the Tamil homeland.

TNA MP Thavarasa Kalaiarasan slammed the Sri Lankan government’s plans to issue death certificates and compensation to families of the disappeared, echoing the campaigning families themselves who have stated that the plans are a cynical attempt to break up their protests.

The Sri Lankan military has been surveilling and harassing families of fallen LTTE cadres in Kilinochchi and Thirunagar ahead of Maaveerar Naal, locals report.

Sri Lankan state officials patrolled the homes and interrogated family members of fallen cadres to disrupt commemorations ahead of 'Maaveerar Vaaram', the week of remembrance preceding Maaveerar Naal.

In Mullaitivu, the Sri Lankan military questioned Tamils who were marking Karthikai Vilakkeedu, the Tamil Hindu festival of lights, due to its proximity to Maaveerar Naal, the Tamil national remembrance day for fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres.

A court in Vavuniya has banned 8 Tamil civil society members from attending commemorations events for Maaveerar Naal, following a request from Sri Lankan security forces.

The banning restricts the individuals from attending events between the 20-29 of November after an injunction seeking the banning was filed by the Vavuniya Chief of Police. Former MPs Sivashakthi Anandan and S.Sivamohan, Secretary of the Vavuniya families of the disappeared K.Rajkumar, former provincial councillors P.Sathiyalingham, Kayendrakumar,  S.Thavapalsingam and S. Aravindan are some of the names listed on the court order. 

The court order states the named individuals must stop any commemorative activities related to Maaveerar Naal between the 20 and 29 and have been told to appear in court on the 6 of December. 

The former head of Sri Lanka’s army has been inducted into the US Army Command and General Staff College’s “International Hall of Fame” this week, an appointment that has led to widespread outcry from Tamil victims around the world.

Mahesh Senanayake, who has had a long Sri Lankan military career and once ran for president, was awarded in a ceremony held in the US this week.

Sri Lankan police, army, and public health inspectors conducted raids in banks, businesses, private clinics and restaurants in Vavuniya this week, reportedly to control the recurrence of coronavirus infections in Vavuniya. 

Details of those who were not wearing masks and who did not observe “health practices” were recorded and warned.

Writing in the Diplomat, Madura Rasaratnam and Mario Arulthas, maintain that the current policy of appeasement, and of soft-pedalling on demands for "accountability and political reform", adopted by the US and India  "comes with considerable costs and uncertain gains".

Instead of attempts to outbid China, they argue that it is necessary to use "soft" leverage to "give Sinhala leaders a reality check and push for measures that are crucial to securing stability and preventing conflict recurrence".

^{File photo: Sri Lankan police officers intimidate Tamils who were preparing to mark Maaveerar Naal in 2018.}

A court in Mullaitivu has banned the commemoration of Maaveerar Naal – an annual day of remembrance to mark the lives lost during the Tamil armed struggle – following a request from the Sri Lankan security forces.

Sri Lankan police under the Mullaitivu Division filed a case in the Mankulam Court seeking an injunction against the holding of Maaveerar Naal events in areas under their jurisdiction.