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Japan and FAO launch $1.33 million fisheries recovery project for Eastern Province
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.
Court throws out contempt case linked to Navatkuli abuse proceedings
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.
Fresh blow to Sri Lanka's economy as US proposes 12.5% tariff
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.
From Vadamaradchi to the Élysée - the Tamil baker who conquered Paris
Sithamparappillai Jegatheepan fled the Tamil homeland not knowing the language, where to go, or what lay ahead. Last month, he was crowned the best baguette baker in Paris and will soon deliver bread to the Élysée Palace. Tamil Guardian spoke to him about his journey.
Supreme Court challenge filed as Tamil artist remains jailed under PTA
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 Lankan police defend arrest of Tamil artist under PTA
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.
‘No Tamil genocide ever occurred’ - Sinhala nationalist party attacks Mullivaikkal commemorations
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.
'How can Tamils live in peace?' Seeman demands release of detained Eelam rapper

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman has called for the immediate release of Tamil rapper Hip Hop Sangeeth, condemning his arrest under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and questioning how a song could be treated as a security threat more than seventeen years after the end of the armed conflict.

Seventh week of protests as displaced Tamils demand return of military occupied land
Tamil landowners in Valikamam North staged a protest for the seventh consecutive Friday this week, demanding the release of hundreds of acres of land that remain under Sri Lankan military occupation despite the end of the armed conflict more than seventeen years ago.
Pon. Sivakumaran's sacrifice remembered in Urumpirai

Pon. Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle, was remembered today in Urumpirai, Jaffna, on the 52nd anniversary of his death. 

Sri Lankan police target Sivakumaran commemoration organisers
The Chairman of the Valikamam East Pradeshiya Sabha, Thiyagarajah Nirosh, was questioned by occupying Sri Lankan police on Thursday and had a statement recorded regarding preparations for a memorial event marking the 52nd anniversary of the death of Tamil martyr Pon Sivakumaran.
Remembering Pon. Sivakumaran 52 years on

Today marks 52 years since the death of Ponnuthurai Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle. 

UNP rallies to defend Buddhist institutions amid clergy misconduct controversy

Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of attempting to undermine Buddhism and interfere in the affairs of the Buddhist clergy, as controversy continues over proposed reforms aimed at addressing misconduct within the Buddhist Sangha.

Chemmani mass grave toll rises to 283 as more remains unearthed
Investigators identified eight additional skeletal remains at the Chemmani mass grave site on Thursday, bringing the total number of victims uncovered during ongoing excavations to 283.
41 years on, Tamils still await justice for the Vattavan massacre
Relatives of victims and members of the public gathered in Verugal this week to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the Vattavan massacre, one of a number of deadly attacks on Tamils in the region, as families renewed calls for truth, justice and accountability.
‘Jail for a song?’ Protest grows over Tamil rapper's PTA detention
Calls for the release of Tamil rapper HipHop Sangee continued to grow this week, with Tamil civil society organisations planning a protest in Kilinochchi and parliamentarians from both Tamil and Sinhala parties raising concerns over his detention under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Thirty Indian fishermen return to Chennai after release from Sri Lankan prisons
Thirty Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka return to Chennai following their release and repatriation after diplomatic intervention
Another $695 million from the IMF, but Sri Lanka's economic woes remain
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a further US$695 million disbursement to Sri Lanka following the completion of the fifth and sixth reviews of the country's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, bringing total IMF support since the island's 2022 sovereign debt default to approximately US$2.4 billion.

World News

UN experts demand investigation following Israel’s killing of Lebanese journalists

Three UN experts called for a full and independent investigation following Israel's killing of three Lebanese journalists.
Sudan hospital ‘drone strike’ kills 64, including children
At least 64 people, including 13 children, have been killed in an attack on a hospital in Sudan’s Darfur region, as violence continues to devastate the already collapsing healthcare system.
FIFA fines Israel for racism and discrimination but clears settlement clubs
On Thursday, FIFA sanctioned the Israel Football Association over breaches of racism and discrimination, but cleared Israeli clubs playing in settlements.
UK jury acquits woman of terrorism charge over Hamas comments
A woman who told a protest crowd that Hamas is “fighting for freedom” has been found not guilty of expressing support for a proscribed organisation, following a closely watched case in a British court.
Two Indian journalists detained for filming docked Iranian warship
Two Indian journalists were detained for filming a docked Iranian warship in Kochi, Kerala.
Spain withdraws ambassador from Israel amid Gaza genocide and Iran war tensions
Spain has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel in the latest escalation of a deepening diplomatic dispute between Madrid and Tel Aviv over Israel’s assault on Gaza and the recent United States and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Former Syrian colonel charged with crimes against humanity in landmark UK case
A former colonel in Syria’s Air Force Intelligence has appeared before a London court charged with crimes against humanity, in what prosecutors say is the first case of its kind brought under British law.
UN peacekeepers refuse order to leave South Sudan opposition stronghold

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has said it will keep its peacekeeping force in the town of Akobo despite an order by the South Sudanese military to vacate the area ahead of a planned offensive.

'India stands with Israel,' Modi says during state visit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day state visit to Israel on Thursday, bolstering cooperation in multiple areas, including defence, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and agriculture.
'Journalists being killed in record numbers' - 129 press members killed in 2025
A record 129 press members were killed in 2025, according to the latest report by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Scotland’s ‘independence within reach’ says first minister
Scottish independence is “within reach”, First Minister John Swinney has said, as a new poll projects the Scottish National Party just one seat short of a majority ahead of this year’s Holyrood election.
UN investigators warn RSF assault on El Fasher bears ‘hallmarks of genocide’
A United Nations fact-finding mission has determined that atrocities carried out during the siege and takeover of the Sudanese city of El Fasher bear the “hallmarks of genocide”, condemning the conduct of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters in Darfur during the ongoing conflict.
UK moves toward new law to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
As international criticism mounts over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) involvement in Tehran's fatal suppression of anti-government protests, the UK government reportedly set to introduce legislation that would enable it to officially outlaw the organisation. The action comes after the European Union made the decision last month to put the IRGC to its official list of terrorist organisations, adding groups like Islamic State, Hamas, and al-Qaeda. 
Tibetan diaspora votes worldwide for government-in-exile
Tibetans around the world began a global election on Sunday to choose a parliament and political leadership for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
'Mother of all deals’ - India and EU forge landmark trade and security pact
India and the European Union have announced a sweeping free trade agreement that both sides have hailed as the “mother of all deals”, concluding nearly two decades of intermittent negotiations.
'Old world order is not coming back' - Carney calls for middle power unity at Davos
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that the global order that shaped international politics for decades “is not coming back”, urging “middle powers” to act collectively as great power rivalry intensifies.
Syrian government and SDF forces agree on four-day ceasefire
The Syrian government has announced a four-day ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after the army continued to seize territory in the country’s northeast.
UN court begins hearing on Myanmar Rohingya genocide case
This week, the charge that Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya went before the International Court of Justice for three weeks of testimony. 
US bombs Venezuela and 'captures' President Maduro

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United States President Donald Trump has said the US has carried out a “large scale strike” against Venezuela and “captured” the country’s leader, President Nicolas Maduro.

ICJ to hear Rohingya genocide case in January

 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on last week that it will hold hearings in a case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against its Rohingya minority.