China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka embarked on a two-day visit to Jaffna and Mannar on a “familiarisation tour” today, amidst heavy Sri Lankan security and brewing tensions with India.

Sri Lankan security forces from the army and police stepped up their presence across the region, as the ambassador travelled to the Tamil homeland.

Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has interrogated the secretary of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Sivasakthi Anandan on Tuesday, questioning him over a protest held by Tamil families of the disappeared last week.

Kanagalingam Srimathan was on his way home in Vavuniya, when a group of four plainclothes officers approached him and began to interrogate him over the protest. The men identified themselves as from the TID, and questioned Srimathan for over half an hour.

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) member, Peter Ilancheliyan, was rushed into surgery at Jaffna Teaching Hospital with a broken jaw after being attacked by a group of four in Mullaitivu, on Sunday. Sri Lankan police are accused of protecting the assailants.

Three officers in plain clothes reportedly witnessed the attack take place, however the assailants have not been arrested. “Is there a solution to this?” asked Ilancheliyan’s wife.

In a recorded statement, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged all countries to "stand firmly against the detention of political prisoners" noting that their imprisonment is "devastating and dehumanizing, for prisoners, their families, their communities".

Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has prorogued parliament as he hurriedly flew to Singapore on an unscheduled visit, according to the latest reports.

Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary who stands accused of mass atrocities, announced that parliament would be prorogued until January 18. Initially, it was set to convene on January 11.

Hours after the announcement, he reportedly flew to Singapore.

A Sri Lankan court has banned an event by the Human Rights Office of the Diocese of Kandy (HROK) to mark Human Rights Day, claiming that the event could “cause disunity”.

According to a report in AsiaNews, Sri Lankan police handed over the court order barring the event to HROK director Father Nandana Manatunga.

The event was due to have 22 families of prisoners receive “tokens of appreciation for the emotional, social and financial struggles they face” with members of the clergy, lawyers, prison and United Nations officials, and even Sri Lankan police officers themselves invited.

Today marks 15 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.

Officials from Sri Lanka's Forest Department arrived in Talaimannar West earlier today in order to carry out a survey of the forest land in the area, where they were blocked by opposition from locals.   

The public who gathered on the streets expressed their vehement opposition to the land-survey by the Department going ahead and demanded that the officers leave.

Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has continued to target a Tamil journalist and Jaffna University student, repeatedly issuing interrogation summons and harassing family and colleagues in Kilinochchi, since June. 

The latest TID summons stated P. Sujeeban was required for an ongoing investigation, ordering the journalist to appear in Kilinochchi on December 17. 

Journalists in Batticaloa demanded that the Sri Lankan state protect human rights and ensure freedom of the press at event held in the city on Sunday evening.

The event, organised by the Eastern Journalist Forum and Professional Web Journalist Association, commenced at the Batticaloa Public Library Auditorium with talks from Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala speakers.