Tamils across the North-East remembered the 35,000 victims of the catastrophic Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. 

On December 26th, 2004, over 35,000 people perished during the catastrophic tsunami that hit the coasts of the North-East and South of the island of Sri Lanka.

Across the Tamil homeland, Tamils gathered to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the assassination of Tamil MP Joseph Pararajasingham.

Footage has emerged of Sri Lankan police officer brutalising a civilian in Kegalle, Sabaragamuwa.

The footage follows raised international concern over the unchecked abuses of Sri Lanka's security forces which include police brutality, torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings.

Across the Tamil homeland, Tamil Christians gathered to celebrate Christmas, although there were some reports of surveillance by Sri Lankan police outside of the churches.

Four Sri Lankan police officers assigned to Thirukkovil Police, in the Ampara district, were shot dead when a rogue sergeant opened fire before surrendering to  Ethimale Police station with two T-56 assault rifles and 19 rounds of ammunition.

Following a visit from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), IMF's mission chief for Sri Lanka Masahiro Nozaki noted that Sri Lanka has not sought financial support from the IMF despite their willingness to discuss options.
Sri Lanka has continued to reject IMF assistance with government minister  Vasudeva Nanayakkara telling parliament that he would rather the government destroyed than turn to the IMF.

Writing in the International Crisis Group (ICG), senior consultant Alan Keenan slams Sri Lanka's "One Country, One Law" Presidential Taskforce as a means by which the Rajapaksa can "divert discontent among the government’s Sinhala Buddhist base toward an embattled minority".

Protests in Valikamam North managed to block Sri Lankan officials from the land survey department from acquiring land for the military last week, in another successful Tamil push back against land grab attempts.