A court in Jaffna has ordered the arrest of Sri Lankan police officers over their involvement in the killing of a Tamil youth, who was tortured to death in custody last week.

25-year-old Nagarasa Alex died last week, after being arrested and tortured by Sri Lankan police. A post-mortem examination revealed “multiple injuries” that led to his death.

The Jaffna magistrate ruled it a homicide and ordered the arrest of four Sri Lankan police officers.

The Muttur magistrate court issued a prohibition order to 17 individuals, including Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) leader and MP, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, and TNPF MP Selvarajah Kajendran, prohibiting them from conducting Maaveerar Naal commemoration events in Trincomalee.

Valaichenai police have demolished a memorial erected at Tharavai Thuyilum Illam, Batticaloa, to commemorate fallen LTTE cadres on Maaveerar Naal. 

The Tamil National Green Organisation opened its annual 'Karthikai Vaasam' flower garden at Kittu Memorial Park in Nallur, Jaffna today and honoured fallen LTTE cadres. 

Participants were welcomed with a Karthikai flower - gloriosa superba - before a sacrificial lamp was lit by the mother of a fallen female LTTE cadre, in memory of the tens of thousands of Tamil fighters who gave their lives in the liberation struggle. 

Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former president and credibly accused war criminal, celebrated his birthday surrounded by friends and family last week, including current Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In video footage shared widely across social media, the elder Rajapaksa is seen cutting a birthday cake adorned with sparklers.

Students from the Eastern University paid their respects to fallen LTTE cadres on the second day of Maaveerar remembrance week.

The students lit lamps by a Pongu Tamil memorial on campus and called on students to mark Maaveerar Naal on November 27 to honour those who sacrificed their lives.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Sri Lanka will no longer be hosts for the Under-19 men's Cricket World Cup, which is due to be held in just a few months time, after the country was suspended due to political interference in the sport.

Though the ICC announced the suspension has now been lifted, it “confirmed Sri Lanka would be replaced as hosts” for the upcoming tournament in January 2024.

Officers from Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is notorious for its widespread use of torture, have reportedly launched an investigation into the death of a Tamil youth after he was tortured last week.

25-year-old Nagarasa Alex died from the torture he was subjected to in Sri Lankan police custody. His death sparked protests in his hometown in Jaffna, and wider calls for justice.

In her debut novel ‘Your Driver is Waiting’, Priya Guns challenges us to rethink the lies we are told about capitalism. Following the death of her beloved Appa at his minimum wage job, Damani’s life is thrown into turmoil. Unable to put her degree to use, she keeps her family afloat, driving her late father’s old car for a ride-share company. 

Diaspora Tamils from the same village as 25-year-old Nagarasa Alex, a Tamil youth who was tortured to death in Sri Lankan police custody, have demanded justice be served and the officers responsible held accountable.

In an open letter published this week, Tamils from Sithankerni in Jaffna who now reside in Europe have echoed calls from their hometown.

“What are the answers for our dear friend Alex's death due to police torture?” the letter asked.