The Eastern University's student union has condemned the arrest of four Tamils in Trincolmalee and called for their immediate release. 

Three of my children were killed in an artillery attack on the same day at the same place.  If they were alive today, the eldest son would be 20 years old, daughter would be 17 years old, and the youngest son would be 15 years old. With them, nine members of my family, including my mother-in-law, my husband’s 6-year-old sister, his younger brother, brother’s wife, their 6-year-old son and their 9-month-old daughter, were killed in that incident. Six of them were children.

Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) MP Selvarajah Kajendren called for the immediate arrest of two police officers whom he says are responsible for the death of 41-year-old Pradeepan Selvanayakam in Jaffna. 

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung is visiting Jaffna at a time when the Sri Lankan government has increased its crackdown on Mullivaikkal commemorations across the Tamil homeland.

“This week I’m back in Jaffna to listen to diverse perspectives from civil society, youth, local officials and religious leaders to explore avenues for continued U.S. collaboration and support for Sri Lankans in the Northern Province,” she tweeted. 

The 39th anniversary of the Kumuthini boat massacre was solemnly observed on Delft island today, as people gathered to remember the 36 Tamils who were killed by Sri Lankan naval officers.

Events were held in Thirunavakulam, Vavuniya and Karaithivu, Batticaloa, to mark the fourth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance week as Tamils around the world commemorate 15 years since the Tamil genocide.

Sri Lanka police blocked Tamil families of the disappeared in Batticaloa from distributing Mullivaikkal kanji to mark the third day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week. 

Defence Secretary  Kamal Gunaratne attending the Russian Victory Day ceremony at the Russian Cultural Centre in Colombo this week

Accused war criminal and acting defence secretary Kamal Gunarate was the chief guest at the Victory Day ceremony held at the Russian embassy in Colombo last week. 

File photograph

Today marks 39 years since 36 Tamils were massacred by Sri Lankan Navy officers on board the Kumuthini boat on May 15, 1985. 

Eye witnesses reported seeing six plain clothed Navy officers boarding the Kumuthini boat and pointing a gun at passengers before ordering them to come up to the main deck one by one and shout their name and destination. 

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) leader and MP Sivagnanam Shritharan called the actions of Sri Lankan police who arrested four Tamils earlier this week for preparing Mullivaikkal Kanji ‘despicable’ and ‘inhumane’ adding that their arrests were unwarranted and illegal.