Speaking with People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL), both Sivakami Rajamanoharan, PEARL’s senior Advocacy Officer and former Tamil Guardian Editor-in-Chief, as well as Roshni Raveenthiran, a Tamil educator and community organiser, delivered an enlightening discussion on the role of female Tamil activists; the difficulties they face; and the means of by which the Tamil community can empower women.

 

A demonstration over the shortage of doctors was held outside Vavuniya Chettikulam Base hospital yesterday. 

Protesters held placards which called for patient hostels to be reopened and stated that there were currently more patients than doctors in the hospital. 

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina B. Teplitz has opened a new school, the Khoonethivu Navalar school, in Sampur, Trincomalee, with the assistance of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education.

The new facility includes a two-story classroom building with 8 classrooms, a rainwater harvesting system and washrooms for both men and women, as well as teachers and those with disabilities. The building will also serve as an emergency shelter for up to 400 evacuees from the local community which is especially beneficial as the region is vulnerable to natural disasters.

Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Trine Eskedal, congratulated Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on his recent election victory, and told him that she is looking forward to working with the new government.

In their meeting, the Ambassador emphasised that Norway is looking forward to a continued positive relationship with Sri Lanka, and discussed areas of collaboration such as development and renewable energy.

<p>Residents of Mullaitivu have raised concern over the increased activity of illlegal logging occurring near the town of Thunukkai.</p> <p>The rate of deforestation within the area is increasing as residents have <em><a href="https://www.virakesari.lk/article/88671">reported </a></em>that the illegal logging takes place on a daily basis, including the logging of trees which have existed for centuries.&nbsp; The local population explained that the fallen trees are being illegally transported out of the area.</p>

Tamil mother at a rally in Vavuniya marking 1289 days of roadside protest

Global Tamil diaspora groups expressed solidarity with the families of the disappeared in a press release, marking the International Day  of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. 

Acting British High Commissioner, Lisa Whantsall met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss areas of collaboration between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom last week. 

A Sri Lankan police officer has been arrested for being in possession of drugs in Ampara.

The officer from Welikada Police Station had 9 grams of heroin and 390 grams of ice seized from him, when he was stopped in the Damana area last week.

Earlier this year, a Sri Lankan army soldier and police officer were arrested for cannabis possession. The Sri Lankan government has pledged to adopt a hard stance against drug-related offences with both the Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary, Kamal Gunaratne vowing to “eradicate Sri Lanka’s drug menace” which has resulted in an escalation in intimidation and surveillance in the North-East.

Several diplomats in Sri Lanka took to Twitter to call for answers on the International Day of the Disappeared, as Tamil families of the disappeared protested across the North-East.