Families from Iranaitivu who led a daring protest to reclaimed their lands were promised resettlement last week by officials but told that the Sri Lankan navy would continue its presence. 

Stating that the navy was needed to ensure the security of the residents and prevent drugs smuggling, a committee comprising the Secretary of the Ministry of Resettlement, B Suresh, the Additional Secretary from the Ministry of Defence R Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's Navy Commander, Admiral SS Ranasinge and other local government officials, said the navy would retain 9 acres of land. 

As many as 10,000 people attended a rally in Chennai last week, to mark 9 years since tens of thousands of Eelam Tamils were massacred by Sri Lankan security forces at Mullivaikkal.

^{File photograph: STF troops in Jaffna. Oct 2017.}

With ongoing protests in Thoothukudi, telecommunication companies have received orders from the Chief Secretary to halt data services in the Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu.  

The protests started months ago in an attempt to have Sterlite Industries’ copper plant shut down due to pollution and health concerns.

Most recently, tensions have escalated as 13 people were killed and many others injured after Tamil Nadu police opened fire at protestors.

Several British MPs and other politicians have released messages of solidarity as the Tamil nation around the world marks Tamil Genocide Remembrance day today.

See some of their messages of support below.

Stephen Timms Member of Parliament for Eastham, Executive Member of APPGT

Despite years of suppressing memorial events when it was in government, the Sri Lankan Freedom Party held an event to commemorate Tamils killed during the massacres at Mullivaikkal 9 years ago.

The event, which was met with scepticism by local Tamils, was held at the party office in Jaffna on Friday. Party officials lit candles before a banner which read “Mullivaikkal Atrocity Remembrance Day”.

The Sri Lankan military stationed in Kilinochchi held military and religious ceremonies on May 18^th “to invoke blessings upon the soldiers,” according to an official military website.

The Tamil National Alliance commemorated the 9^th anniversary since the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils, in a ceremony at its office in Jaffna on Friday.

The Sri Lankan navy plans to acquire a further 18 acres of land in J/07 Grama Sevaha Division, Mandaitivu in order to build a camp for the Velusumana Navy Division. 

A notice declaring the planned acquisition was seen by residents on the island. 

Families in Sampur have reiterated their calls on the Sri Lankan navy to release their land after navy officers were seen planting coconut trees in the area earlier this month. 

Writing to the Trincomalee District Secretariat, the Eastern Province's governor and the Sri Lankan president, displaced families have urged action.