The violence in Israel and Palestine over the last month has been horrific. Thousands have already been killed and it shows no signs of abating in the days and weeks to come. For many around the world, Eelam Tamils included, it has been difficult to observe. But what has added to the dismay for Tamils in particular, is the hypocritical response by Sri Lankans across the political spectrum to the violence in Gaza.

Frontline Defenders condemned the “persecution and reprisals” by Sri Lankan authorities against Tamil protestors in Madhavanai and Mayilathamadu, Batticaloa, as they continue to demonstrate against land encroachment by Sinhalese settlers.

Author Roy Ratnavel visited London for the launch of his novel ‘Prisoner #1056.’ Ratnavel’s book, a bestseller in Canada, details an introspective journey, recounting his idyllic upbringing in Point Pedro before turning to the horrors of imprisonment during the armed struggle, leading to his resettlement in Canada. 

Freedom House has deemed internet freedom in Sri Lanka as only “partly free” in its annual report, highlighting attempts to censor the Tamil Guardian and the detention of Tamils over social media posts.

Clearing has begun at the Visuvamadu Theravil Thuyilum Illam in preparation of Maaveerar Naal which is marked on November 27. 

In a historic event that echoed the resilience and spirit of the Tamil nation, the 'Yaazh Gaanam' concert, headlined by the acclaimed Tamil music maestro Santhosh Narayanan, unfolded on the evening of October 21st at the Muttraveli ground in Jaffna. This gathering marked not only a celebration of music but also a poignant tribute to Tamil heritage, a moment of reflection on the liberation struggle, and a resounding call to action using the power of music.

The Sri Lankan government announced the so-called ‘presidential palace’ in Jaffna, which was constructed by the military in 2012 on land that it had seized from local Tamils, will now be leased out to a private university.

The Sri Lankan government has announced that it will distribute air rifles to farmers to fight of an expanding population of monkeys and other animals that are destroying crops.

Speaking to reporters Sri Lanka’s Agricultural Minister Mahinda Amaraweera lashed out at environmental groups protecting the toque macaques monkeys and maintained that “if the crisis becomes worse standard rifles will have to be given”.

The Colombo Magistrate Court has finally released former MP Vijayakala Maheshwaran from a case filed against her more than five years ago after she made remarks calling for a resurgence of the LTTE to curb high crime rates in North-East.

Maheswaran faced criticism from cross-party Sinhala politicians for calling for a resurgence of the LTTE in order to curb rising crime rates in North-East and was forced to resign from her ministerial post.

TNA parliamentarian Selvam Adaikkalanathan told reporters that Sri Lankan military and police intelligence services had intimidated small business owners in order to try and prevent them from joining a hartal, protesting against the intimidation of a Tamil judge who was forced to resign and flee the island last month.