A landmark decision from a British tribunal found that Tamils who engage in a range of political activities in the United Kingdom may continue to face “a real risk of ill-treatment or harm” if deported to Sri Lanka, in a significant ruling that clarifies and expands those who may face persecution on the island.

The ruling, which centred on the asylum appeal of two Tamil refugees in the UK, known as KK and RS, importantly expands the criteria of those who may be at risk in Sri Lanka, taking into account a range of activities from posting on social media, to attendance at commemorative events and even signing petitions that could be “perceived as being anti-government”.

Sri Lanka’s President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has ordered Governors and District Secretaries to maintain operations in factories and developments projects despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Puthukudiyiruppu police detained and threatened two Hindu priests and a trustee of the Sivan temple in Moongilaru, Mullaitivu, on Thursday. 

The priests who were detained for four hours before their release, were threatened to not carry out daily prayers at the temple, despite the island's coronavirus guidance allowing worship without public attendance.

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, David Holly extended “goodwill and appreciation” towards the role of Sri Lankan armed forces against COVID-19, by gifting personal protection equipment (PPE) to accused war criminal, Shavendra Silva.

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A UK court has found a key document used by Home Affairs and tribunals in Australia to reject refugee applications for Tamils from Sri Lanka as “unreliable”. Human rights advocates are calling for its retraction after the United Kingdom Home Office removed its equivalent report after receiving similar criticism.

Up to 15 people were arrested by the Mannar police for allegedly violating COVID lockdown regulations.

On Sunday morning, the Sri Lankan Air Force and the Mannar Police used a drone camera, from the Mannar city bus stand, to monitor the movement of the public in the area. The camera captured youths playing on the sports ground and gathering on the streets, leading to the arrests of those seen allegedly violating the coronavirus rules.

Germany is reported to be planning to deport more Tamil refugees to Sri Lanka despite the credible risks of torture and human rights abuses.

This comes as Britain's Upper Tribunal has officially recognised the threat of "ill-treatment" to peaceful Tamil activists posed by the Sri Lankan state which the tribunal defines as an "authoritarian regime".

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, Jayanath Colombage, participated in a webinar titled “International Experts Dialogue on Genocide”.

His participation in this dialogue follows the establishment of Tamil Genocide Education week in Ontario, Canada which Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry had condemned. During the webinar, Colombage claimed that;

Chandran Vithusan, 22

A young Tamil man, who was arrested by the Sri Lankan Intelligence Division last night at a house in East Iruthayapuram, Batticaloa, has died in detention this morning. 

The body of Chandran Vithusan, 22, who was arrested outside his house in East Iruthayapuram by people who identified themselves as intelligence officers at 10.30pm last night, has been handed over this morning.