The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced a 15% increase in electricity tariffs, ahead of a key visit by a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official to the island next week.

ITAK candidate Sivam Pakkiyanathan has been elected Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council, with the backing of members from the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

The outcome follows a turbulent contest in which the ruling National People's Power (NPP) government reportedly formed an alliance with the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), the party led by former paramilitary commander Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan.

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has openly admitted to the “collapse” of the country’s social structure and systemic corruption across public institutions but pointed to Buddhism as “the foundation for a disciplined and culturally sophisticated nation”.

Sri Lanka and China have signed two Memoranda of Understanding to set up a working group on trade facilitation and on industrial and supply chain cooperation, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.

Tamil organisations across Canada have strongly condemned recent racist and xenophobic attacks targeting Canada’s Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, warning that such narratives seek to undermine the Tamil Canadian community.