The Tamil National Youth Federation (TNYF) organized a petition opposing the Anti Terrorism Act, set to be debated in the Sri Lankan parliament on April 25th. The petition collected signatures from members of the public in Kilinochchi on April 23rd and will be sent to all 225 members of parliament and the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

On April 21st, Sri Lanka marked the fourth anniversary of the deadly Easter bombings with memorial services held across the Nort-East. The bombings, which occurred on April 21st, 2019, claimed the lives of 268 people and injured more than 500 others. The attacks were carried out by a local extremist group and targeted churches and luxury hotels.

Last week the US State Department decided to sanction yet another Sri Lanka war criminal, former Naval Commander, Wasantha Karannagoda. For decades Karannagoda has enjoyed complete impunity for the crimes he committed against Tamil civilians. Despite his alleged involvement in the abduction and disappearance of eleven individuals, as a close ally of the Rajapaksa clan, Karannagoda appeared almost untouchable.

Armed personnel and police were deployed to provide security as the spire of a newly constructed Buddhist temple was installed and consecrated in Thaiyiddy, Point Pedro on April 27th. The temple, which is the tallest of its kind constructed in Jaffna in the recent past, has raised concerns among locals who view it as part of an ongoing Sinhala colonisation project in the region.

The Vavuniya Magistrate Court has issued an order to all government authorities, including the police, that worshippers in the Vedukkunaari area should not be obstructed in any way. The order was issued during the court hearing regarding the vandalism and destruction of Vedukkunaari Athi Lingeshwara Temple idols. The police informed the court that they have been unable to identify the persons responsible for the vandalization, and further investigations are being carried out.

Seven months after the release of the first instalment of ‘Ponniyin Selvan,’ the conclusion of the two-part film hits screens worldwide.

The 46th death anniversary of S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, also known as Thanthai Chelva, was commemorated in Jaffna Town and in Thellipalai. The commemoration was organised by the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Trust. Thanthai Chelva, who is widely regarded as the father of Tamil Nationalism, was remembered for his immense contribution to the Tamil struggle for self-determination in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s president has announced the government will hold separate discussions with China and the Paris Club, including India, as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to manage the island’s debts.

The announcement comes amidst a dire economic crisis that has seen mass inflation and shortages in basic necessities such as food, fuel and medicine. 

The US announced that former Sri Lankan Naval Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and his wife are now banned from entering the U.S. due to his involvement in human rights violations. 

“The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible,” Secretary Anthony Blinken said in a press statement. 

Photograph courtesy of Transformative Justice Collective

Singapore hanged Tanagaraju Suppiah over drug smuggling charges despite global pleas for clemency to be exercised.