As Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election draws to a close, Tamil Families of the Disappeared gathered in Trincomalee to continue their demands answers about the fate of their loved ones, many of whom were forcibly disappeared at the end of the armed conflict.

Since his start in the Telugu film industry and Tamil debut with 2011’s ‘Siruthai’ starring Karthi, Siva has unabashedly aimed to provide nothing but mindless entertainment for his audience. If you are looking for leave-your-brain-at-home, escapist cinema, Siva will provide by the bucket.

 

 

 

Polls have closed across the island with a voter turnout lower than expected in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections. Initial figures suggest lower participation in polls today compared to September’s presidential polls. There are 17.1 million eligible voters, including 1 million first-time voters, who will elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term. In the Tamil North-East, more than 2,000 candidates are standing for the 28 seats on offer.

The polls closed in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections on Thursday, with a 65% turnout across the island and an even higher turnout in many regions across the North East. 

Millions of voters across the island are heading to the polls today, as Sri Lanka’s parliamentary polls get underway.

There are 17.1 million eligible voters, including 1 million first-time voters, who will elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term.

Why the election?

The Indian Navy submarine INS Vela completed a three-day visit to Sri Lanka this week, in a move that seems aimed at building closer ties between the two militaries.

Vivek Ramaswamy, an American entrepreneur and Republican politician of Tamil Brahmin heritage, has been appointed by US President-elect Donald Trump to co-head a newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

The United States has sanctioned India-based Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited (Shaurya), part of a consortium with Russia’s Airports of Regions Management Company to oversee Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa Airport.

 In a move that has raised concerns over government scrutiny of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has signed an agreement to expand the exchange of information on investigations and prosecutions involving money laundering, terrorist financing, and related activities connected to NGOs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted the annual BRICS summit last month in the southwestern city of Kazan – a three-day gathering with leaders from 36 countries, as well as the UN Secretary General in attendance.

The leader of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), a Tamil nationalist party in India, has called for economic sanctions against Sri Lanka in light of the ongoing Palk Strait disputes and brutality against Tamil fishermen. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the NTK leader, Senthamizhan Seeman, urged the Indian Government to impose economic sanctions against Sri Lanka. Seeman specifically referred to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's statement that Indian fishermen crossing the border illegally would 'face firm action'.

The Russian Embassy in Colombo has addressed recent media reports suggesting that Sri Lanka’s application for BRICS membership had been rejected, clarifying that no final decision has been made. According to an official statement from the embassy, Sri Lanka’s application to join the BRICS coalition—which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is still under consideration.