The Indian High Commission in Colombo has issued a series of tweets slamming a “morphed image” which claims to be from India’s external affairs minister, offering to proclaim Sri Lanka “become a State if India” in response to the ongoing economic crisis.

The fake tweet, which the High Commission said is “completely fake and fabricated” claims to show a tweet from S Jaishankar, stating that “India is extending a hand of survival to people of Sri Lanka” and “will look after all the future issues of Sri Lanka too”.

Responding to international outcry over the police shootings in the southern city of Rambukkana, Sri Lanka’s President and Prime Minister, Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, claimed on Twitter that Sri Lankan police would carry out an “impartial and transparent inquiry”.

As Sri Lanka enters discussions with the International Monetary Fund, India has offered its support by calling on the IMF to “urgently provide financial assistance”.

#SriLanka Police forcibly prevented Tamils in #Batticaloa from lighting a lamp in memory of Annai Poopathy aka Kanapathypillai Poopathy, a 56 y/o #Tami mother fasted unto death on April 19, 1988 to protest the atrocities committed against Tamils by Indian Peace Keeping Force. pic.twitter.com/0R8WApaL5J

— JDS (@JDSLanka) April 19, 2022

Sri Lankan police obstructed Tamils in Batticaloa from lighting a lamp to mark the 34th death anniversary of Annai Poopathy, who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). 

Several heads of diplomatic missions including the UK, US and Canada condemned the violence in Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in the town of Rambukkana, killing at least one person and injuring several.

Sarah Hulton, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, stated on Twitter:

I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of life in protests in Rambukkana. An independent and transparent investigation is essential. I condemn violence in all forms and call for restraint. The right to peaceful protest must be protected.

Sri Lankan police blocked Annai Poopathy's daughter from visiting her mother's grave to mark her 34th death anniversary. 

Earlier today, Annai Poopathy's daughter, Ms Lokeshwaran Santhi was told by Sri Lankan police officers that she was not allowed to commemorate her mother at her resting place in Navalady, Batticaloa. The officers claimed that Santhi was paying homage to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). 

^{Spent shell cases from live rounds fired at the protestors earlier today.}

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has called for a “full, transparent investigation” after Sri Lankan police shot dead one protestor and injured several others just hours ago in the town of Rambukkana, where a demonstration had been taking place.

“I am deeply saddened by the horrible news coming out of Rambukkana,” tweeted the ambassador.

Sri Lankan security forces have fired at protestors in Rambukkana, leading to at least one person being confirmed dead and several others in critical condition.

There are fears that the death toll may rise, with the number of injured people estimated to be at approximately 12. The deceased man has since been identified as a former member of the United National Party's Youth Wing.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) paid tribute to Annai Poopathy at the party’s Kilinochchi office this morning to mark 34 years since her death. 

Annai Poopathy fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF). She died on April 19th 1988, after thirty days of fasting.

^{Image courtesy of @tamilnarratives} 

Today marks 34 years since the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil woman who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).