Sri Lankan security forces cordoned off the roads leading to the Sencholai children's home in Vallipunam, Mullaitivu, in an attempt to block any commemorations of the massacre from taking place. 

On this day 15 years ago, four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers. 

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Sencholai massacre, in which Sri Lanka’s airforce massacred 53 school girls by bombing the Sencholai orphanage, German Tamils continued their demands for justice. Protests were held in Berlin and in Dortmund.

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Sencholai massacre, in which Sri Lanka’s airforce massacred 53 school girls by bombing the Sencholai orphanage, British Tamils continue their demands for justice.

The demonstrations were organised by the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO).

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Selvam Adaikalanathan, a parliamentarian from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said that his party would not hesitate to participate in talks with the government, provided they meet the demands laid out by TNA.

Adaikalanathan was addressing recent reports suggesting that a meeting between the government and TNA was imminent. 

Responding to concerns raised by Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT), Elliot Colburn, over potential cuts in funding to UN Expert Committee, British Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, highlighted his concerns for the human rights environment in Sri Lanka and noted that his officials have been in contact with the Office of the UN High Commissioner to secure a level of funding which would enable for collection and analysis of evidence of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

Against the medical advice of Sri Lanka’s own Medical Association and World Health Organisation officials, Sri Lanka’s President refused to impose but has implemented an inter-provincial travel ban as COVID fatalities continue to rise.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

Responding to Police Scotland’s decision to suspend training for Sri Lankan officers due to human rights concerns, British Tamils activist groups and MPs welcomed the decision but also demanded further action.

Responding to the suspension of Police Scotland’s training of Sri Lankan Police, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has called on the British government to end its training programme with Sri Lanka’s police noting the police’s record of systemic torture.

Responding to a letter by Member of Parliament for Ilford South and Shadow Transport Minister, Sam Tarry, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmed, highlighted the British government’s concern over the deterioration of human rights in Sri Lanka and maintained that “Sri Lanka’s receipt of Enhanced Framework preferences is subject to conditions”.