Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa lashed out at the country’s Central Bank as he met with senior officials in Colombo today, demanding action within 24 hours as the economic crisis on the island continues to worsen.

Officers from Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided the Colombo residence of journalist Dharisha Bastians and seized her laptop earlier this month, raising concerns over the safety of her sources.

Bastians, who is also a correspondent for the New York Times and former chief editor of the Sunday Observer, said the raid happened earlier this month “after two separate attempts to obtain the device without a court order”.

M A Sumanthiran, a spokesperson for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said the party is ready to support a government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, providing Sri Lanka is willing to "fulfil the political aspirations of Tamils," in a statement ahead of this year's parliamentary elections.

A Sri Lankan Major General Sallay who stands accused of a number of abuses including the reported forced confession and denial of medical treatment of a Tamil doctor has sent a Letter of Demand to Executive director of the International Truth and Justice Project, Yasmin Sooka, claiming that the organisation had made "defamatory remarks".

Tamil fishermen and members of the Tamil National People's Front protested against illegal state sponsored Sinhala settlements in Kudaaruppu, Vadamarachi East today. 

Ignoring a court order, the Sinhala fishermen set up huts along the Kudaaruppu coast in order to harvest sea cucumbers.

Graphic by Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice 

The militarisation of the education sector in the North-East “raises important questions about the risks posed to child welfare” and wider implications for economic development says the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has held talks with representatives of Sri Lanka’s tourism and hotel sectors, as he promises to reopen tourism in August.

Tamils joined thousands of protesters in solidarity at Black Lives Matter protests across Switzerland. 

Sri Lankan police have commended a special operation to remove posters, banners and advertisements relating to the upcoming general election as part of an island-wide project to curb “illegal election propaganda”.

Sajith Premadasa, the leader of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and former Presidential candidate, has pledged that he will work with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to bring about a “disciplined society” if Rajapaksa wins the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Germany has agreed to grant Sri Lanka €11 million in technical assistance through 3 development cooperation projects, despite concerns of Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

Responding to "clarifications" made by Peel School in Canada, which withdraw a statement recognising Tamil genocide, Tamil activists launched the viral "I am Tamil" campaign which garnered hundreds of posts from around the work this week and raised awareness of the genocide whilst also supporting Bill 104, which will enable a Tamil Genocide Education week.

Australian State MP Hugh McDermott thanked Tamil Nadu politician, Thol. Thirumaavalan for support following calls for international recognition of the Tamil genocide. 

"I appreciate the kind words and encouragement. The acts of the Sri Lankan Government were genocide. It is important for governments around the world to recognise this and bring justice to the Tamil people," he wrote in his letter to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president.

Speaking to Tamil Net, Jaffna-based Attorney, academic and civil society activist, Kumaravadivel Guruparan, warned that the appointment of two Presidential task forces further emboldened the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist project and threatens to silence to internal dissent.