Today marks 16 years since the passing of the chief negotiator and political strategist of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Anton Balasingham. 

Balasingham, or as he was fondly known among Tamils - Bala Anna, was widely respected and adored by the nation. His charismatic addresses in venues around the world drew tens of thousands, as he provided political analysis with sharp wit. Leading LTTE delegations through numerous negotiations, Bala Anna eloquently and forcefully articulated the rights of the nation. His intellectual prowess and political acumen earned him respect from all sides of the negotiating table.

Former Sri Lankan Minister Wimal Weerawansa has lashed out against US Ambassador for Sri Lanka Julie Chung, claiming that she the puppet master behind the mistakes of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Aragalaya protests.

"All decisions that the former president took, he conveyed to envoy Chung and then implemented it as per her instructions. When the president took the decision to remove the protestors, envoy Chung prevented it, claiming it would affect the IMF loan," Weerawansa alleged.

The UK High Court has ruled against the former UK representative of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and secretary of Global Sri Lanka Forum, Jayaraj Palihawadanaa, in a landmark case concerning false claims he made against the executive director of the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), Yasmin Sooka.

Jaffna Tamils protested against attempts by the Sri Lankan military to acquire 40 acres of private land for the Naval Base Camp in Karainagar.

Mullaitivu Tamils have staged a protest against the Sri Lankan military’s continued land grabs in front of the Gotabaya Naval Camp in Vattuwagal, Mullaitivu, after officials from Colombo came to audit the land for military use.

The Amma project, a charity initiative started by a British Tamil couple, is working alongside the Swansea Asylum Seekers Support (SASS) to provide gifts for children from refugee families during the Christmas period. SASS charity was chosen by the couple as they help asylum seeker familes in various situations, a cause close to their hearts. Donations can be received on the GoFundme until the 16th of December for gifts, where almost £900 has been raised.

British diplomats have expressed their willingness to provide the necessary technical and practical support to help Sri Lanka implement its 'Climate Prosperity Plan'.

Speaking at a discussion held last week, the Deputy High Commissioner of Great Britain to Sri Lanka, Lisa Whanstall told the President's Senior Adviser on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene, that they appreciate the efforts taken by Sri Lanka to address Climate Change, the Presidents Media division reports. 

Following 2,120 days of protest, Tamil Families of the Disappeared staged a protest a vigil outside government offices in Vavuniya, decrying the action of Tamil politicians who met with government officials.

During the protest, demonstrators pelted photos of Tamil politicians with tomatoes in an expression of outrage. Protesters maintained that Tamil MPs should not speak with the Sri Lankan government alone.

Flight services services between Jaffna and Chennai have resumed, with the first flight from Chennai landing at Jaffna's Palaly airport earlier today. 

50 families in Mannar have been affected by Cyclone Mandous which damaged houses and businesses in the district. 

Houses were damaged by fallen trees while the cyclonic storm swept away fishing nets and destroyed fishing boats.