Students, staff and lecturers from the Jaffna University faculty paid their respects to Pon. Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle 50 years ago. 

Sri Lanka’s controversial truth and reconciliation mechanism, the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM), which has been roundly criticized by international experts and Tamil civil society, met with Sri Lankan police officers and air force officers in the Puttalam district to gather their feedback on the proposed reconciliation legislation. 

The Sri Lankan police reportedly forced Tamil officers who were deployed in Kankesanthurai on routine duty to take part in Vesak observances at an illegally constructed temple within the military-controlled high-security zone (HSZ) in Jaffna.  

Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly said the Tamil people “do not have the unity, capacity and background to field a common candidate” for the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential polls, which are scheduled to be held later this year. 

Wickremesinghe met Tamil parliamentarian C.V. Wigneswaran at his home in Jaffna, where he reportedly made the remarks last month.

Today marks 50 years since the death of Ponnuthurai Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle. 

Following the 15th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Sri Lanka’s UN Resident Coordinator, Marc-André Franche, undertook a tour of the North-East and visited the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave in Mullaitivu. He was accompanied by Mullaitivu District's Families of the Disappeared President, Mariyasures Iswari, and lawyer K. Ganeswaran.

The visit follows Franche's meeting with Mullaitivu District Secretary, A. Uma Maheswaran, where they discussed the challenges facing those in Mullaitivu. 

A family of six Eelam Tamil have fled Mannar to arrive at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, where they are being held at the Police Station and having their statements recorded by the Indian police. 

It is learnt that the family undertook a journey by boat to arrive in Rameswaram on Tuesday (4). The family of six includes three children along with their parents. The family is seeking asylum in Tamil Nadu over the economic hardships that they are facing in Sri Lanka. 

Marking 50 years since the death of Pon. Sivakumaran, the first Tamil martyr to die in the liberation struggle, several Tamil political leaders and politicians paid tribute to him in Urumbarai, Jaffna.

The CONIFA's Women's World Cup has kicked off with the inaugural game between Tamil Eelam and Székely Land. 

Tamil Eelam showed heart to twice come from behind to draw the game 2-2 against Székely Land.

The first half saw Tamil Eelam working both wings to pressure the opposition. Passing the ball well Tamil Eelam were unlucky not to go ahead in the first 35 minutes. Tamil Eelam pressed well as a team, Székely Land could not consolidate play in the first half with Tamil Eelam closing down the centre. However, it was Székely Land to score first with a lofted free kick just before the end of the first half. Defensively Tamil Eelam held well  in open play, Szekely Land had few chances. Though trailing now going into the second half Tamil Eelam had to dig deep.

The head of Sri Lanka’s Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security said “brainwashed Muslims” must be forcibly rehabilitated, adding that the government can no longer “please” the community by appeasing their demands. 

Sarath, the former Public Security Minister, told reporters in Colombo that though Muslim organisations have raised objections against the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, which was passed last year and gives the security forces the authority to run so-called rehabilitation centres, it must be forcibly implemented.