A protest demanding the release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan and condemning the use of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against Tamils was held in Kilinochchi on Saturday.

Residents, activists and elected representatives gathered in Valvettithurai on Monday to demand the release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, despite threats, intimidation and surveillance by occupying Sri Lankan police ahead of the demonstration.

The LGBTQIA+ community in Jaffna held their fifth annual Pride Walk, under the theme  “We Exist For Each Other". 

The walk, organised by the Jaffna Transgender Network, began outside the iconic Jaffna Public Library and proceeded along Hospital Road and Pannai Road before ending at Jaffna Fort. 

 

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), calling for his immediate release and reaffirming demands for the repeal of the legislation.

 

The Government of Japan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Sri Lankan government, have launched a US$1.33 million initiative aimed at restoring fisheries and rebuilding livelihoods in the Eastern Province following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The Chavakachcheri Magistrate's Court has dismissed an application seeking the institution of contempt of court proceedings against Balangoda Kassapa in connection with public statements he made regarding the ongoing Navatkuli abuse case involving a Sinhala Buddhist monk accused of attempting to sexually abuse a minor girl.

Sri Lanka has been targeted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which has proposed new tariffs on imports from countries it says have failed to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on goods produced with forced labour.

A fundamental rights petition will be filed before Sri Lanka's Supreme Court seeking the release of Tamil artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, better known as HipHop Sangee, after his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), President's Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran announced on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka Police have issued a public statement defending the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar amid growing criticism of the detention of the 24-year-old.

A senior figure from the Sarvajana Balaya Party has called on Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his government to publicly clarify their position on Tamil genocide remembrance activities, reiterating his party's rejection of claims that Tamils were subjected to genocide in Sri Lanka.