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What is the OMP? Another doomed Sri Lankan mechanism
As Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya becomes the latest government figure to continue backing failed domestic accountability mechanisms for enforced disappearances, whilst Tamils continue to demand international action, we take a look at one of Sri Lanka's longest standing commissions…

Tamil Affairs

Tamil Affairs
Test - A T20 at best
Tamil Affairs
Harini Amarasuriya’s hypocrisy on justice for the disappeared
Tamil Affairs
Sri Lankan Prime Minister doubles down on failed domestic mechanisms for disappearances 
Tamil Affairs
Sri Lankan media sidelined during Modi’s Colombo visit

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Harini Amarasuriya’s hypocrisy on justice for the disappeared
In 2024, Harini Amarasuriya – then an opposition parliamentarian – lauded the Tamil mothers of the disappeared. “The women in this country, particularly those affected by the civil war, have repeatedly expressed what they want,” she said.  “Numerous commissions have sought the views of women victims regarding the reconciliation process, compensation, and grievance mechanisms they want. It is time for the government to take action on these issues. Women have been demanding these changes for years. They are seeking the truth about what happened to their family members. This must be taken seriously.”
Sri Lankan Prime Minister doubles down on failed domestic mechanisms for disappearances 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya claimed her government is “committed to delivering justice” to families of the disappeared but doubled down on domestic accountability mechanisms which have long been rejected by Tamil families of the disappeared.
Sri Lankan media sidelined during Modi’s Colombo visit
Sri Lankan media organisations were reportedly excluded from covering Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile state visit to Colombo earlier this month, with reports highlighting how the President’s Media Division (PMD) took exclusive control of all media coordination and access. While Indian press was given extensive access to official events - including high-level meetings and joint statements- the Sri Lankan press were relegated to the sidelines, with access reportedly limited to just the ceremonial welcome at Independence Square.
Sri Lankan Minister admits military deserters involved in crime wave, 1,700 arrested
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, has announced that approximately 1,700 individuals who deserted the Sri Lankan armed forces have been arrested in a major crackdown on organised crime and illegal arms, with authorities acknowledging that many of those involved in criminal activity are former members of the military.
Hamas launches legal challenge against UK terror designation
The Palestinian group Hamas has launched a legal challenge against the United Kingdom’s 2021 decision to designate it as a terrorist organisation, submitting a detailed 106-page application to the Home Secretary calling for the proscription to be overturned.
Eight arrested for illegal fishing in Mullaitivu as local fishermen demand action
Eight individuals have been arrested for engaging in illegal fishing activities off the coast of Mullaitivu over the past two days, amid growing concern from local fishermen about the continued degradation of their livelihoods and marine resources in the region.
‘We do not care’ - Dissanayake defends probe into Rajapaksa grandmother
Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has defended an ongoing corruption investigation involving an elderly female relative of the Rajapaksa family allegedly connected to a high-profile corruption case, declaring that no one, regardless of age, will be exempt from scrutiny if they are implicated in the misuse of public funds. Speaking at a public rally in Galle, Dissanayake dismissed criticism over the questioning of the woman, believed to be linked to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family, asserting that accountability must extend to all individuals involved in concealing stolen state resources.
TELO accuses Sri Lankan government of continuing destructive sand mining in Mannar
Daniel Vasanth, the Mannar District Organiser of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), has accused the Sri Lankan government and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led administration of continuing environmentally destructive mineral sand excavation projects in the Mannar district, despite promises to halt such activities.
Pillayan arrested over ‘abduction and disappearance’ says Sri Lankan police
Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, commonly known as Pillayan, former State Minister and leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for an ‘abduction and disappearance’, said Sri Lankan police today. Pillayan was taken into custody in Batticaloa yesterday and is currently being transported to Colombo for further questioning.  Though initial reports suggested it was due to his connection to the deadly Easter Sunday attacks of 2019, the Sri Lankan police have not commented further on the claim. Reports suggested that this arrest is in connection with the enforced disappearance of a university vice-chancellor in the Eastern Province in 2006. 
Muslim youth detained under PTA released ahead of EU delegation visit, says Sri Lankan MP
Sri Lankan opposition MP Harsha de Silva has claimed that the recent release of a 22-year-old youth detained under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was timed to coincide with the upcoming visit of a European Union delegation. Speaking in parliament this week, de Silva criticised the continued use of the PTA despite repeated promises by successive governments—including the current administration led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake—to repeal the controversial law. The arrest, he said, highlights the disconnect between the government's public commitments and its actions on the ground.

Modi in Colombo – Time to seize the moment

Sanctions are just the start 

Selective justice is not justice

FEATURES
The Tamil homeland’s falling population – Sri Lanka’s 2024 census
Explained: The new India–Sri Lanka Defence Agreement 
Modi 'hopes' Tamil aspirations will be met, but focuses on business

Tamil News

Harini Amarasuriya’s hypocrisy on justice for the disappeared

In 2024, Harini Amarasuriya – then an opposition parliamentarian – lauded the Tamil mothers of the disappeared.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister doubles down on failed domestic mechanisms for disappearances 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya claimed her government is “committed to delivering justice” to families of the disappeared but doubled down on domestic accountability mechanisms which have long been rejected by Tamil families of the disappeared.
Sri Lankan media sidelined during Modi’s Colombo visit

Sri Lankan media organisations were reportedly excluded from covering Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile state visit to Colombo earlier this month, with reports highlighting how the President’s Media Division (PMD) took exclusive control of all media coordination and access.

Sri Lankan Minister admits military deserters involved in crime wave, 1,700 arrested
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, has announced that approximately 1,700 individuals who deserted the Sri Lankan armed forces have been arrested in a major crackdown on organised crime and illegal arms, with authorities acknowledging that many of those involved in criminal activity are former members of the military.
Eight arrested for illegal fishing in Mullaitivu as local fishermen demand action
Eight individuals have been arrested for engaging in illegal fishing activities off the coast of Mullaitivu over the past two days, amid growing concern from local fishermen about the continued degradation of their livelihoods and marine resources in the region.
‘We do not care’ - Dissanayake defends probe into Rajapaksa grandmother

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has defended an ongoing corruption investigation involving an elderly female relative of the Rajapaksa family allegedly connected to a high-profile corruption case, declaring that no one, regardless of age, will be exempt from scrutiny if they are implicated in the misuse of public funds.

TELO accuses Sri Lankan government of continuing destructive sand mining in Mannar
Daniel Vasanth, the Mannar District Organiser of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), has accused the Sri Lankan government and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led administration of continuing environmentally destructive mineral sand excavation projects in the Mannar district, despite promises to halt such activities.
Pillayan arrested over ‘abduction and disappearance’ says Sri Lankan police

Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, commonly known as Pillayan, former State Minister and leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for an ‘abduction and disappearance’, said Sri Lankan police today.

Muslim youth detained under PTA released ahead of EU delegation visit, says Sri Lankan MP

Sri Lankan opposition MP Harsha de Silva has claimed that the recent release of a 22-year-old youth detained under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was timed to coincide with the upcoming visit of a European Union delegation.

Sri Lankan president writes to Trump, as US president mocks world leaders
Amid mounting pressure over the United States’ imposition of sweeping tariffs, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake wrote to Donald Trump this week, as the US president bragged of how world leaders were “kissing my a**” in appeals to reduce the levies
‘If Prabhakaran were here, he would have opposed sanctions against me,’ says Karuna

Pro-Sri Lankan government paramilitary leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, widely known as Karuna Amman, has claimed that the UK’s sanctions against him are politically motivated and driven by elements within the Tamil diaspora.

Sri Lankan government refuses funding for Chemmani mass grave excavation, court told
Excavation efforts at a cemetery in Chemmani, Jaffna, where human skeletal remains were recently uncovered, have stalled due to a lack of Sri Lankan government funds, the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court was told on Friday.
'Women in Sri Lanka's North bear the heat'

NS

Temperatures are rising, impacting women led businesses in the north writes Amita Arudpragasam for the Himal Southasian, as extreme heat events linked to climate change become more frequent.

Paramilitary leader Pillayan arrested by Sri Lankan police in Batticaloa

Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, better known as Pillayan, a former chief minister and current head of the paramilitary Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), was arrested by Sri Lankan police in Batticaloa on Tuesday night.

The Tamil homeland’s falling population – Sri Lanka’s 2024 census

Sri Lanka’s newly released preliminary census figures from 2024 illustrated how the Tamil North-East, particularly the Vanni region, remains the worst-affected part of the island in terms of population loss and stagnation.

Sri Lankan military expands presence in Tamil schools under ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme
sri lankan military uses school programs and cultural events to reinforce control and normalize presence in tamil-majority regions under the guise of civic initiatives
Sri Lanka's military strengthens occupation of Tamil homeland through humanitarian projects

Throughout the past few weeks the Sri Lankan military's activities in civilian spheres in the Tamil homeland continued unabated.

Son of Naranthanai massacre victim calls for rejection of EPDP
A. Kavikaran, a youth contesting in the local government elections and the son of a victim of the Naranthanai massacre, has called on the public to reject candidates from the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), accusing them of involvement in the 2001 killings.
Mannar civil society calls for urgent action on public transport crisis in Madu region
Civil society representatives in Mannar have renewed calls for urgent action to address the dire public transport crisis affecting thousands of residents in the Madu region and surrounding border villages.

World News

France could recognise Palestinian state in June

Apr 10

Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday France could recognise a Palestinian state in June.

Hamas launches legal challenge against UK terror designation
The Palestinian group Hamas has launched a legal challenge against the United Kingdom’s 2021 decision to designate it as a terrorist organisation, submitting a detailed 106-page application to the Home Secretary calling for the proscription to be overturned.
Ten British nationals accused of committing war crimes in Gaza

Israeli forces tank with israeli flag

A complaint against 10 British nationals accusing them of committing war crimes while serving with the Israeli military in Gaza will be submitted to the Metropolitan Police on Monday. 

Myanmar junta declares temporary ceasefire following earthquake, days after armed groups halt hostilities
The junta’s ceasefire declaration came several days after armed resistance groups across the country had already unilaterally paused hostilities to allow for humanitarian operations. The military had initially refused to reciprocate.
West Papua activists launch boycott Indonesia campaign
More than ninety West Papuan tribes, political organisations, religious and political groups have called for a boycott of products implicated in the Indonesian occupation, in the first major West Papuan boycott campaign ever announced.
'Friends forever, never enemies' - China's foreign minister in Moscow

China and Russia have reaffirmed their deepening ties during a high-level visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

First direct talks between Congo and M23 rebels to be held on April 9

M23 forces standing beside house
Sources from both the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have stated that the two are aiming to hold direct talks for the first time on 9 April. 

The meeting in Doha would be the first direct negotiations since M23 rebels seized eastern Congo’s two largest cities.

Israel killed 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers one by one, says UN
Fifteen Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers, including at least one United Nations employee, were killed by Israeli forces “one by one” and buried in a mass grave eight days ago in southern Gaza, the UN has said.
Republika Srpska adopt new constitution asserting the right to self determination
The federal entity of Republika Srpska has adopted a draft constitution which includes provisions for the formation of an army and asserts the entities right to self determination.
Huge protests erupt as Turkey jails President Erdogan's main rival

Nationwide protests erupted as the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had his biggest political rival arrested last Wednesday and jailed today on counts of corruption and links to terrorism.

M23 rebels capture Walikale in eastern DRC

M23 forces standing beside house

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured the strategic mining hub of Walikale in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

M23 rebels entered Walikale on Wednesday. Spokesperson for the Congolese army, Nestor Mavudisa, confirmed on Thursday that “the enemy” now controlled Walikale. 

At least 7 dead after boat carrying refugees capsizes off Cyprus’ coast

Boat carrying refugees

Authorities in Cyprus have reported that they have retrieved at least 7 bodies after a boat carrying refugees capsized 30 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco. 

Two people were rescued on Monday, there is still an unspecified number of people believed to be missing. 

Balochistan train hijack ends in bloodshed as Pakistani forces storm separatist fighters

The train hijacked by the Baloch rebels. Photo courtesy: Swarajya Mag

Israel informed US ahead of latest deadly attacks on Gaza

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu sit beside each other with Israel and US flags in background

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Monday that the Israeli government had informed the Trump administration prior to launching massive air raids on the Gaza Strip overnight. 

Children among 32 killed following US airstrikes in Yemen
US fighter jets have carried out a series of air raids across Yemen, killing at least 32.
Rwanda severs diplomatic ties with Belgium

PK

Rwanda says it has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all of their country’s diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, drawing a swift response from Brussels.

US explores Somaliland recognition in exchange for military base
The United States is reportedly considering partial recognition of Somaliland in exchange for permission to establish a naval base near Berbera port, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Netanyahu lashes out at UN after experts find 'genocidal acts' in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out against a United Nations report accusing Israel of committing "genocidal acts" against Palestinians, calling the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) an "antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting and irrelevant body."

International endorsement for Syria-SDF deal
The recent agreement between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian central government has received international backing, after it was agreed the alliance would integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state.
Bosnian prosecutors order arrest of three top Bosnian Serb officials

Dodik speaking in front of multiple news microphones

On Wednesday, Bosnian state prosecutors ordered the arrest of Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik and two of his aides for what it has called an attack on the constitutional order. 

OPINION
Harini Amarasuriya’s hypocrisy on justice for the disappeared
As Modi eyes trade deals in Sri Lanka, Tamils demand justice
Dissanayake’s Indian U-turn
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
Test - A T20 at best
Tamil youth commemorate heritage at TYO Sports Event 2025 in the Netherlands
In photographs - Eid al-Fitr in Tamil Eelam
INTERVIEW
British MPs praise Tamils and pledge justice at Pongal
Sanctions on Sri Lanka are Britain's 'responsibility' - Interview with Yasmin Sooka
ITAK's wake up call and Tamil aspirations - Interview with Shanakiyan Rasamanickam