Speaking before Sri Lankan parliament, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, M.A Sumanthiran, explained that whilst the party held firm disagreements with the government's budget proposals, they abstained from voting at the second reading of the budget as a gesture of goodwill as the President assured Tamil political parties that would resolve the Tamil National question.

Two uniformed soldiers questioned Tamil journalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan at Mullaitivu Press Club today as Maaveerar Naal draws closer.

The soldiers belonging to the 591 Brigade asked Kumanan for the name and contact details of the president of the organisation, claiming that a new commanding officer was seeking the information of all commerical establishments in Mullaitivu. 

"There are plans to organize another ‘Aragalaya’ to chase the Govt, but I won't give an opportunity for that. I will get the military & the forces and I will put a State of Emergency. I will also not dissolve the Parliament until economic crisis is resolved."- President @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/tbL0d0piSU

At the University of Copenhagen, Tamil students have gathered to mark Maaveeerar Naal, a day dedicated to remembering those who sacrificed their lives for the Tamil liberational struggle.

The Sri Lankan army have intensified their presence in Jaffna as Maaveerar Naal approaches.

The military have been patrolling the roads, particularly the areas around Koppay Thuyilum Illam. Earlier this month, plainclothed military officers attempted to intimidate Tamils who were clearing the Thuyilum Illam by taking their photographs. 

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry has touted a ‘productive virtual dialogue’ with the European Union, reporting that the EU reaffirmed its commitment to the island and that they discussed the GSP+ arrangement, which sees favourable trading concessions to Sri Lanka.

The virtual meeting was held last Thursday and was the first dialogue to take place between the two Parliament since the last in-person meeting in November 2017 in Colombo.

Responding to a visit from Sri Lanka's president, Tamil Families of the Disappeared in Vavuniya staged a protest outside the Vavuniya District Secretariat office.

The protest comes as Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe was set to inaugurate the Northern Province Coordination Sub-Office.

Tamil students from Aalborg University in Denmark marked the first day of Maaveerar remembrance week, the week leading up to the Tamil national remembrance day of Maaveerar Naal.

Over the next week, Tamils in the homeland and diaspora will commemorate those who gave their lives to the Tamil liberation struggle. 

Plain clothed Sri Lankan military officers watched over Tamils marking the first day of Maaveerar remembrance week at Chatty Thuyilum Illam yesterday. 

A memorial was unveiled in Nallur, Jaffna yesterday, to mark the first day of Maaveerar remembrance week. 

Parents of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres inaugurated the event by uncovering 34 plaques which listed the names of all those who gave their lives to the Tamil struggle for self-determination.