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Sri Lankan military continues to occupy thousands of acres in Jaffna, admits official

Despite repeated assurances from successive governments, more than 2,500 acres of Tamil-owned land in Jaffna remain occupied by Sri Lanka’s military, navy, air force, and police, nearly 16 years after the end of the armed conflict, Jaffna District Secretary Maruthalingam Pratheepan confirmed last week.

Sri Lankan military and monks look to expand illegal Buddhist shrine in KKS
Controversy surrounds the Tissa Vihara in Kankesanthurai as political leaders and military figures clash over its illegal construction and plans to acquire additional land for its expansion
HRCSL urges oversight and improved conditions for Rohingya asylum seekers in Sri Lanka
A recent report by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has described various human rights violations in the treatment of Rohingya asylum seekers detained at the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp.  The report, titled Status of Rohingya Asylum Seekers Detained in Mullaitivu, and Related Issues, highlighted a need for humanitarian intervention, transparency in detention practices, and accountability for the Sri Lankan authorities’ handling of asylum seekers.
Kumarapuram massacre remembered 29 years on

The Kumarapuram massacre, where the Sri Lankan military killed 26 Tamils, injured 24 and gang raped a 15 year old girl in a murderous rampage 29 years ago, was commemorated today. 

Funds run dry for mass grave excavation in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo
Mass grave excavations at Colombo port uncover six human skeletal remains so far
China provides flood relief aid to Tamil families in North
Relief funds was distributed on February 9th and 10th to the people affected in flood in Jaffna, Mannar and Mullaithivu
Trincomalee fishermen protest against illegal dynamite fishing
On February 7th fishermen along with Ravichandran Ponnampalam demanded the ban of illegal fishing methods by holding a protest in sampur region
Sri Lanka scrambles for ‘alternatives’ as controversy over USAID funding continues

USAID

 

The abrupt suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programme under President Donald Trump means Sri Lanka “may have to go for alternatives”, according to Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa, as controversy over the projects it funded continues.

IndiGo to launch direct flights from Bengaluru to Jaffna
India’s largest low-cost airline, IndiGo, has announced plans to introduce direct flights between Bengaluru and Jaffna.
Sri Lanka blames blackout on monkey, as experts warn of grid collapse
Sri Lanka was plunged into an island-wide blackout on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., leaving millions without electricity for over three hours
Still not our independence
Familiar scenes played out across the island last week as Sri Lanka marked 77 years since the end of British rule. In the Sinhala south, lion flags were hoisted with pride and Colombo’s streets saw yet another military parade. But in the Tamil North-East, a starkly different picture was evident once more. Black flags were raised, protests were held, and the enduring sense of alienation that Tamils have long felt on this so-called "Independence Day" was once again laid bare.
Vidaamuyarchi - A good effort
With his latest feature, Thirumeni presents a more stripped down and lean film for Ajith Kumar, going against the ‘hero worship’ seen from the star's recent films. 
Outrage after Lasantha murder suspects released by Sri Lanka’s Attorney General 
The daughter of the assassinated journalist has called for the impeachment of Sri Lanka's Attorney General.
Sri Lanka suspends four police officers amid torture allegations
Four Sri Lankan police officers have been suspended and indicted on torture charges after allegations surfaced of them abusing a suspect in custody at the Malimbada Police Station in Matara
India grants 600 million rupees for Mannar hospital
India has pledged a 600 million rupee grant to upgrade the Accident and Emergency Unit and facilities at the Mannar District General Hospital
Obituary - Somasundaram 'Mavai' Senathirajah
Senathirajah, a veteran politician and stalwart figure in Tamil nationalist politics, passed away in Jaffna last week, aged 82 years old. Somasundaram Senathirajah, commonly known as ‘Mavai’, was born in Maviddapuram, Jaffna on 27th October 1942. His political activism started when he was just a teenager, as he joined the 1961 Satyagraha campaign. The movement saw Tamils engage in peaceful civil disobedience across the North-East, protesting against the brutality of the Sri Lankan state. The campaign, led by the Federal Party’s S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, radically shaped the young Mavai.
‘Sri Lankan president is forgetting I am Mahinda Rajapaksa’

Rajapaksa

The former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has publicly declared his readiness to vacate his official residence in Colombo if current president Anura Kumara Dissanayake formally requests it in writing. 

Cardinal Ranjith labels Sri Lanka’s Constitution ‘dictatorial’ and demands repeal
Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, delivered a scathing critique of the Sri Lanka’s Constitution, labelling it a “death blow” to democracy.

World News

'Kurds are our loyal allies and brothers in arms, we will never abandon them' - French Foreign Minister

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host an international conference on 13 February in Paris to address the future of Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, with Kurdish representatives set to play a key role
Trump meets with Netanyahu despite ICC arrest warrant

Trump

Trump has hosted the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the first visit of a foreign leader to the White House during Trump's second term.  

The visit comes despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for Netanyahu. 

Trump announcement to 'take over' Gaza draws widespread condemnation
President Donald Trump has said the United States will “take over” and “own” Gaza after an ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the besieged enclave.
Rwandan President rebukes South African President's statement on DRC conflict
Following the deaths of 13 South African peacekeeping forces in eastern Congo. President Kagame has called the SAMIDRC forces a 'belligerent' force engaged in combative operations with DRC forces against Congolese people.
Trump to withdraw from UNHRC
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected on Tuesday to stop U.S. engagement with the United Nations Human Rights Council and continue a halt to funding for the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA.
Rwanda aligned group M23 declares unilateral ceasefire in DRC
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who seized the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo last week have declared a unilateral ceasefire starting on Tuesday.
Rwanda aligned rebels close in on key City in Congo
Rwanda has been urged to withdraw its advancing troops from the outskirts of Goma, a mineral-rich city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Myanmar Junta airstrike kills 28 people in detention camp
A Myanmar junta airstrike has killed 28 people, including children, and wounded 25 at a temporary detention area in western Rakhine state, an ethnic minority armed group has said.
ICC chief prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Taliban leaders over persecution of women
The International Criminal courts Chief prosecutor has requested arrest warrants for the Taliban's supreme leader.
Displaced Palestinians begin to return home as Gaza ceasefire takes hold
Tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians are heading to their homes, after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect following more than 15 months of war.
Australia faces fresh scrutiny over asylum seeker treatment

tamil asylum seekers

Australian immigration authorities are facing renewed criticism over their treatment asylum seekers and other detainees, following a series of damning reports about conditions in offshore and mainland detention facilities.

SAS accused of war crimes in Afghanistan

SAS

A former senior UK Special Forces officer has told a public inquiry into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan that the SAS had a "golden pass allowing them to get away with murder"

US determines RSF committed Genocide in Sudan
The United States on Tuesday accused the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its proxies of committing genocide and imposed sanctions on its leader.
Israeli soldier flees Brazil amid investigation into Gaza war crimes

Gaza

An Israeli soldier accused of war crimes has fled Brazil amid an investigation into his actions in Gaza, local media reported Sunday.

Justin Trudeau to step down as Prime Minister of Canda
Trudeau has announced his resignation as leader of the ruling Liberal Party, citing "internal battles" within his party.
Leader of PKK ready to take 'necessary' steps to support peace drive

Ocalan

Jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, has been quoted indicating that he may be prepared to call for militants to lay down their arms. 

Pakistan-administered Kashmir rescinds protest restriction law after strike
A four day strike has led to the government of the Pakistan-administered Kashmir to withdraw a Presidential ordinance that restricted " unregistered organisations" from holding protests.
Ireland calls for broader interpretation of Genocide Convention at ICJ
Ireland announces intention to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
French court convicts author for denying Rwandan Genocide
A French court has found French-Cameroonian author Charles Onana guilty of denying the 1994 Rwandan genocide.