• UK parliamentarians meet with Sri Lankan military in Jaffna

    A group of British MPs who are touring Sri Lanka met with the military in Jaffna last week, despite criticism of ongoing militarisation of the North-East.

  • Demining staff shot by gunmen in Palai

    A demining staff member was shot by unknown gunmen close to the police station in Palai on Monday night at 8pm local time. 

    The victim, 38 year old father of two, Sivananthamoorthy Surenthiran, was rushed to Palai hospital before being transferred to Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment of significant injuries. 
     

  • Massacre of Tamils by Sri Lankan police at 1974 World Tamil Research Conference remembered

    The killing of eleven Tamils by Sri Lankan police officers at the 1974 International Tamil Research Conference in Jaffna was remembered today. 

    Residents and members of the Northern Provincial Councils gathered by a memorial to mark the 44th anniversary of the massacre. 

  • Sirisena asks Supreme Court if he can extend his presidency till 2021

    Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena has asked the Supreme Court for its view on whether he can extend his term in office till 2021, making his presidency a total of 6 years. 

    According to the 19th Amendment to the constitution which the government hailed as evidence of its revolutionary governance and part of its 100 day 'good governance' plan, a president's term is limited to 5 years. 

  • Lots of talk but little progress in Sri Lanka - CPJ

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) criticised what it described as "lots of talk but little progress in Sri Lanka over journalist murders' as the government commenced its 4th year in power. 

  • Sri Lankan minister pledges justice for Lasantha as family slam government failure

    Sri Lanka's former foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera said the government was committed to delivering justice for the assassination of the former Sunday Leader editor, Lasantha Wickrematunga, as the family of the murdered journalist criticised the government's failure to bring the perpetrators to justice. 

  • Sri Lanka's PM seeks to dampen criticism on 3rd anniversary in power

    Sri Lanka's prime minister sought to allay criticism of the government's lack of progress on key issues in a special statement released today, marking the third anniversary of the unity government's election win. 

  • Sri Lankan court grants bail to navy spokesperson accused of abduction of Tamil youth

    A former Sri Lankan navy spokesman has been granted bail after being held in remand custody over the abduction of 11 Tamil youth.

    D.K.P. Dassanayake and five others were granted a cash bail of Rs.100,000 with three sureties of Rs.1 million each.

  • Sri Lankan army in Tamil church, as militaristion steps up over Christmas

    The Sri Lankan military announced that it held more Christmas events in churches across the North-East this year, as military involvement in civilian activities ramped up in the Tamil homeland during the festive period.

  • Sri Lankan army commander accused of bearing responsiblity for missing files on disappeared journalist

    The head of Sri Lanka’s army has been accused of bearing responsibility for the alleged loss of military intelligence records regarding disappeared journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.  

    Speaking to BBC Sinhala, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said that it was not "practical" for military records on the abduction of the journalist to still have been kepy "if the military intelligence was intelligent".

  • Military to have open access to Sri Lanka’s new identity cards

    Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary will be able to access a proposed new electronic identity card system without the need for any court orders, reports EconomyNext.

    The new system, which is being challenged in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court later this month, is reportedly being designed without any privacy laws in place.

    EconomyNext reports fears over the security of data held by the government, reporting that there have been hacks in similar electronics citizens databases in India.

  • TNA candidate assaulted by EPDP supporter in Chavakachcheri

    A Tamil National Alliance candidate in the upcoming Local Government polls was allegedly assaulted by a supporter of the paramilitary group, EPDP, on Saturday. 

    The assault took place as the victim, 67 year old Kasilingham Satkunathevan, was campaigning door to door with leaflets.

    The EPDP supporter became angered that Mr Satkunathevan had come to his house to campaign, hitting him with a broom stick and an axe handle. 

  • Sri Lankan police to increase security operations ahead of elections

    Sri Lanka's police force is to increase security operations across the island ahead of the upcoming local government elections, the police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara was quoted by the Colombo Page as saying. 

  • Tamil Nadu dep CM assures release of fishermen from Sri Lanka

    The deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu on Saturday told reporters he was confident that all the fishermen currently detained by Sri Lankan authorities would be released. 

    Speaking to reporters in Rameswaram, a day after the chief minister sent a letter to Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, Mr O Panneerselvam said the state government would prevail on Delhi to take up the issue. 

  • Sri Lankan army opens new building at Vanni base

    The Sri Lankan military declared open a new Officer’s Mess at its 621 Brigade Headquarters this week, as the army continues to consolidate its presence in the North-East.

    Sri Lanka’s commander in the Vanni Major General Kumudu Perera declared open the new building in a military ceremony that took place, complete with Kandyan dancers.

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