On Friday, the Supreme Court (SC) of India ordered the release of the six remaining convicts serving life imprisonment for their alleged association in the killing of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The court applied its May 18 2022 judgement of releasing AG Peraivalan to 6 individuals after the criteria for Periaivalan's release was made for each of their cases. 

Those who have been granted premature release are Nalini Sriharan; Santhan, alias Raviraj; Murugan; Robert Payas; Jayakumar; and Ravichandran, alias Ravi. They were found to have good conduct in jail and all of them had acquired various degrees during their stay in jail. The court noted that the Tamil Nadu cabinet had recommended their release on September 9, 2018, and this opinion will be binding on the Governor.

Following a rescue by Singaporean authorities, over 300 Tamil refugees residing in Vietnam are pleading with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to not be returned to Sri Lanka and instead resettled to a third country as a refugee.

Following a hundred-day protest for a political solution to Tamil demands, the North-East Coordination Committee met with the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Rakesh Natraj Jayabaskaran, to discuss the grievances of Eelam Tamils.

^{Image courtesy of @Tamil Narratives}

Today marks 16 years since Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP and human rights lawyer, Nadarajah Raviraj was assassinated in Colombo. 

Mr Raviraj was shot in Colombo at close range by unidentified gunmen on a motorbike at around 8:30am on November 10 2006, as he got into his car after giving an interview. The MP died later in hospital. His bodyguard was also killed. 

Considering the progress made in relation to the IMF- Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programe and debt restructuring negotiations, and the reforms that have already been undertaken and those that are to be implemented in the period ahead, the Sri Lankan economy is expected to transition onto the path to recovery from the latter part of 2023.

The National Police Commission (NPC) has received 9,295 complaints about the Sri Lanka Police's functioning during the last five years.

Complaints include cases of unlawful arrest, false charges, assault, torture, partiality, abuse of power, as well as police inaction. 

In a wide-ranging debate focused on Sri Lanka, British MPS from across the political aisle unified in their demand for the UK government to act on Sri Lanka in the form of Magnitsky-style sanctions; refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court; urge Sri Lanka to meet its GSP+ commitments; and, dramatically reduce its bloated military spending.

All photographs courtesy of the Tamil Refugee Council

Tamils in Australia rallied through Sydney over the weekend to demand permanent protection for all refugees, including Eelam Tamils who have fled Sri Lanka. 

On November 6, Tamil activists and refugees demonstrated outside Sydney Town Hall as refugees continue to be denied permanent protection under the new Labor government. 

Fallen Tamil fighters were commemorated at Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam over the weekend before locals began preparing the area for Maaveerar Naal. 

The parents of fallen cadres, activists and political representatives including Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to the Maaveerar by lighting a lamp and laying flowers before beginning the clearing process. 

Three Eelam Tamil families fled Sri Lanka and arrived in Dhanushkodi as refugees on November 5th, with more looking to flee to Tamil Nadu in the wake of the worsening economic crisis. 

The families, including a three month old baby, were taken to Rameswaram Marine Police Station for an investigation before being taken to Mandapam refugee camp.