<p>President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's blanket ban on the import of spices, intended to strengthen Sri Lanka's economy, has led to a growing black market.&nbsp;</p> <p>When Gotabaya took office as President, he promised that his government would focus on supporting domestic agriculture. His ban on the import of spices was intended to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy by promoting domestic production. However, the restrictions has created a turmeric shortage and a growing black market.&nbsp;</p>

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, met with senior members of the Sinhala Buddhist clergy last week, as he discussed the implementation of a USD $15 million grant for the “promotion of Buddhist ties between India and Sri Lanka”.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister and accused war criminal, Mahinda Rajapaksa featured as the ‘Chief Guest’ at a UN virtual event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the global body. Human Rights Watch called the move a “slap in the face for victims of human rights abuses and war crimes.” 
 

During a virtual webinar, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, and accused war criminal, Jayanth Colombage expressed concern over the US-backed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Alliance (QUAD), asking:

“Do we really need a QUAD? Will QUAD not give rise – not to a cold war – but at least a cool war in the Indian ocean?”

^{Fishermen in Batticaloa (Anton Croos)}

Fishing activities have been severely affected in Batticaloa, following several cases of COVID-19 positive individuals identified at a wholesale fish market in Peliyagoda, a suburban area of Colombo.

Sri Lankan police made several arrests across the East in the past week, with illegal weapons allegedly recovered across the province.

In Amparai district, seven people were arrested last week, allegedly in possession of eight firearms during a police raid in Thirukkovil.

An individual was also arrested in connection with locally-made firearms and ammunition found in Thirukkovil as well as in Hikkaduwa in the South-West.

Last month, seven were arrested, including a former LTTE cadre, on allegations of possessing and manufacturing illegal firearms in Amparai. 

Sri Lankan police warned Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) members and activists that they will be "taken away" if they commemorate Brigadier S P Thamilselvan today. 

 

A short while ago Sri Lanka Police entered our Kokkuvil Head Office and warned members not to commemorate Brigadier S.P Thamilchelvan, warning anyone commemorating would be 'taken away'. They also recorded names and contact details of all our activists present in the office.

Coastal flooding has severely disrupted the lives and livelihoods of villages on the north-western coast of Kilinochchi district, and some parts of Jaffna.

“Around 25 boats have come ashore and have been wrecked by the flood on Thursday” confirmed a fisherman from the village of Pallikuda, just south of Poonakary.

The fishermen said that their fishing nets, crucial to their livelihood were also damaged.

As many as 365 fishing families are occupying the area and for many, their income stems from the sea. The floodwaters have encroached into homes and compromised essential water stored in wells.  

Today marks thirteen years since S. P. Thamilselvan, the head of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was assassinated by the Sri Lankan air force (SLAF).

On November 2, 2007 Sri Lankan air force jets carried out a strike on a residence of members of the LTTE's political division. Five other LTTE officials - Lt. Col. Anpumani (Alex), Major Mikuthan, Major Nethaaji, Lt. Aadchiveal and Lt. Maavaikkumaran - were killed alongside Brigadier Thamilselvan, in the attack.

The assassination came as the Sri Lankan government ramped up its military offensive in the Tamil homeland. 

Former Air Force commander, and accused war criminal, Sumangala Dias has been appointed to become Sri Lanka’s high commissioner to Canada.

Dias’s appointment follows a worrying trending of appointing former military officials, accused of human rights violations, to senior diplomatic positions.