The United States says it has a “strong partnership” with Sri Lanka, in a message released to mark the Tamil and Sinhala New Year.

US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus released a statement saying the partnership between the two governments is “based on extensive people-to-people ties and a shared commitment to democratic principles and a stable, secure Indo-Pacific”. 

A group of Sri Lankans are amongst hundreds of migrants being held by Turkish security forces, accused of attempting to cross the border into Europe. 

Anadolu Agency reports that a total of 558 migrants were arrested in total across the country in raids conducted by security forces.

The Sri Lankans were held in Turkey’s western Edirne province.

A protest was staged in Batticaloa last week with locals calling for an ambulance service to be provided to the Mavadivembu Divisional Hospital as healthcare continues to suffer in the region.

A Sri Lankan soldier was killed and another injured after being hit by a lorry in Mullaitivu on Tuesday.

Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s Labour Party, released a message of support to the Tamil community this week as many around the world celebrated New Year festivities.

British counter terrorism police have released four men that they arrested at Luton airport last week, under “suspicion of membership of a proscribed organisation”.

The men were all described as “Sri Lankan nationals” in a press release from the Metropolitan Police earlier today.

Canadian politicians from across the political spectrum released statements to praise the country’s Tamil community this weekend, as many Tamils around the world celebrated Puthandu.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in his statement to mark the occasion,

The Sri Lankan army said that soldiers who deserted the military and are accused of “malpractices or criminal acts” may still be able to receive an amnesty, in an announcement made last week.  

A returned refugee from Tamil Nadu is campaigning to retrieve her land from a Buddhist monastery after she was blocked from accessing it by Sri Lankan army personnel.

The Mayor of London praised the city’s Tamil community in a message released on Sunday morning, as many celebrated Puthandu.

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force (STF) announced that it had arrested a man in Kilinochchi this weekend, accusing him of possessing 2.4 kilograms of cannabis.

The Indian military is likely to transfer a Dornier reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka as it looks to build closer ties to Colombo, having just completed a joint military training exercise on the island.

Toronto’s mayor John Tory met with members of the Tamil community last month and pledged his office’s support behind a drive to create a cultural and recreational hub for Tamil-Canadians.