Signature campaign in Jaffna demands international justice for Chemmani mass graves and Tamil genocide

A spokesperson for former Sri Lankan president and accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa has claimed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhkaran “would be pleased” with the way Colombo has treated the ex-head of state, after he was compelled to vacate his official residence in Colombo under new legislation.

A young Tamil man was left critically injured on Wednesday night after being struck by a Sri Lankan military vehicle in Avarankal, Jaffna in a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the heavy militarisation of the Tamil homeland.

Former Sri Lankan president and accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa lashed out at the government this week, claiming that the island was witnessing “political terrorism” driven by “personal revenge,” after he was compelled to vacate his luxury Colombo residence under the newly enacted Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Act.

Two Tamil youths from Mullivaikkal completed a solidarity march to Mannar on Friday evening, joining ongoing protests against the controversial wind power project that locals warn threatens their homes and livelihoods.

More members of the United States Congress have voiced support for Tamil demands for justice following the discovery of mass graves in Chemmani, as pressure mounts on Sri Lanka to allow an international investigation into atrocities committed during the armed conflict.

Students from the University of Jaffna's medical faculty held a commemoration event on campus yesterday to remember Lt Col Thileepan and the sacrifice he made 38 years ago. 

Tamils in Wutterpal, Germany marked 38 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his fast unto death, which he undertook to press the Indian government to uphold its commitments to the Tamil people. 

A mass rally was held today in Geneva, Switzerland, to renew demands for justice and international accountability for the Tamil genocide, as Sri Lanka features on the agenda of the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 

A memorial float dedicated to Lt Col Thileepan, who fasted unto death in September 1987, will travel through the North-East this week as the Tamil nation remembers his sacrifice 38 years on. 

Tamils in Jaffna and Mullaitivu marked 38 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his hunger strike at Nallur Kandaswamy temple in protest against the failure of the Indian government to honour the pledges made it to the Tamil people. 

Sri Lankan authorities have arrested a police officer, an army colonel, and a former local councillor in connection with aiding and supplying notorious underworld figures, who were recently apprehended in Indonesia.

A new draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council has faced criticism for dropping explicit calls for foreign judges and instead endorses a domestic judicial mechanism backed by Colombo, despite repeated rejections by the Sri Lankan government of any international involvement in accountability.

Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa this week denounced Israel’s assault on Gaza as a “genocide against the Palestinian people,” even as he continues to embrace Sri Lankan military commanders who conducted atrocities against Tamils during the final stages of the armed conflict.