Writing in the Guardian, Sonia Faleiro highlights how in countries such as Sri Lanka and Myanmar, where Theravada Buddhism is prominent, 'monks have emerged as central figures in movements that promote sectarian hatred' and incite violence. 

The piece, which was adapted from excerpts of her upcoming book The Robe and the Sword: How Buddhist Extremism Is Shaping Modern Asia, details how Buddhism is given preference in the Sri Lankan constitution, resulting in an imbalance in governance. 

Sri Lankan police officers reportedly attempted to disrupt a Maaveerar Naal – or Great Heroes’ Day – commemorations in Kilinochchi yesterday, with one officer accused by organisers of arriving at the site while intoxicated.

At least three people have been killed in Amparai, and more than 40 across the island, as days of intense rainfall triggered severe flooding and landslides, prompting widespread transport closures and emergency rescue operations.

Sri Lanka’s security forces have summoned a Trincomalee youth organiser, in what activists say is the latest act of intimidation targeting Tamil civil society. Officials from the Counter Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID) arrived at the office of Thalam on Wednesday and issued a summons ordering Dr C. Hayakirivan — also known as Karthi Hayan — to report to the TPIU in Trincomalee on 28 November 2025.

Sri Lanka’s former president and credibly accused war criminal, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been hospitalised in Colombo following a medical emergency. 

The former President is said to have been admitted three days ago following a medical emergency. 

Tamils gathered across Batticaloa today to join the Tamil nation in commemorating Maaveerar Naal. 

Thandiyadi Thuyilum Illam 

Tamils gathered at Sampur Thuyilum Illam in Trincomalee amidst the rain to remember Tamil fighters who laid down their lives in the armed struggle. 

Sri Lanka's security forces desecrated all of the cemeteries built by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) following the end of the armed conflict but Tamils in the North-East still gather at the destroyed cemeteries to mark Maaveerar Naal. 

Amidst a downpour in Kilinochchi, thousands of Tamils gathered at the Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam, to pay tribute to the fallen fighters of the Tamil liberation struggle on Maaveerar Naal – Great Heroes’ Day.

Armed with a sea of umbrellas and jackets, as many as 10,000 people came to the site of the LTTE cemetery, which was once destroyed by the Sri Lankan army.

Tamils gathered at Thuyilum Illam's across Mullaitivu to commemorate the Tamil fighters who laid down their lives in the armed struggle. 

Alampil Thuyilum Illam

In several places across Jaffna, thousands of Tamils gathered to mark Maaveerar Naal and pay tribute to the fallen fighters of the Tamil independence struggle.