The University of Jaffna Students' Union has called for a “new political culture” for Eelam Tamils, as they outlined a range of demands to Tamil political parties including “moulding Tamil nationalism into a progressive force”.

"The recent Presidential election result has shown different dimensions and political thoughts of the Tamil people,” said a statement from the student union.

“Significant support for campaigns by the Common Tamil Candidate and boycott of the polls, both undertaken from a Tamil nationalist point of view, is a significant change in Tamil politics. That the fear of one Sinhala chauvinist candidate from the south has led them to support another, apparently less harmful, representative of Sinhala chauvinism is plain."

They went on to outline several demands to Tamil political parties, aimed at renewing Tamil nationalism through progressive leadership. These demands include:

Those with social, developmental, political, academic and cultural expertise, along with a progressive vision for the Tamil nation, should be fielded as election candidates

Those who have been members of parliament for two or more terms should retire from electoral politics and instead immerse themselves in grassroot politics

Young people should form at least 40 to 50% of the candidates

It is essential that in the interest of moulding Tamil nationalism into a progressive force that women, young people and those on the fringes of our society are given the opportunity (to stand in the elections).

Candidates should not be chosen based solely on their emotions but those who can progress Tamil nationalism on an intellectual basis should be chosen.

It is against the will of the people to select beaten candidates for the national list. Further, learned activists should be chosen to the national list, not just party members.

Defending the East: Amparai and Trincomalee

The University of Jaffna Student Union stressed the urgent need for vigilance in Tamil-majority regions in the east, particularly in Amparai and Trincomalee, where Tamil representation is at risk. "Let us preserve the Tamils' status and representation in the east!" they urged.

In Amparai, Tamil political representation has already disappeared, and in Trincomalee, it is under threat, the students added. The union called for Tamil political parties to work together to field strong candidates who have a realistic chance of securing Tamil representation in these areas. This collective action is crucial to prevent further erosion of Tamil political influence in the eastern provinces.

Exposing 'fake' Tamil MPs

The Student Union also slammed the presence of so-called 'fake' Tamil MPs. These politicians, the union argues, masquerade as Tamil nationalists but have led campaigns that are harmful to the emancipation of the Tamil people.

"Real change will be to overthrow the 'fakes' masquerading as Tamil nationalists yet led campaigns harmful to Tamil people's emancipation... to be swept up by the current fashion in politics of ridding corruption, and concentrating on southern political forces instead of Tamil nationalism is political suicide."

"Tamil people should identify and marginalise fake Tamil nationalists," they added.

See the full statement below.

புதியதொரு அரசியற் பண்பாட்டினால் புத்துயிர் பெறட்டும் தமிழர் தேசம் - யாழ்ப்பாணப் பல்கலைக்கழக மாணவர் ஒன்றியம்

04.10.2024 | ஊடக வெளியீடு pic.twitter.com/sC6vCoiDNh

— Jaffna University Students’ Union (@uojusu) October 4, 2024

The Sri Lankan navy announced it held yet another large scale military exercise, this time in ‘Counter Revolutionary Warfare’, in the occupied city of Trincomalee this month, with the participation of the Pakistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh navies.

The Sri Lanka Navy announced it had commenced the training involving foreign naval forces running until October 15. 

“For the first time in this field training exercise, 25 naval personnel including observers will participate representing Pakistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh navies,” the navy declared.

“In addition, a total of 195 naval personnel will take part with naval vessel and air force helicopters participating.

This training exercise includes Amphibious Operations, Amphibious Assault, Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS), Internal Security Duties (ISD) and Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW).

According to the Navy, the exercise offers “an opportunity to share combat experiences and best practices among partners and improve collective responses to common maritime threats and strengthen preparedness for internal security duties.” 

Despite a new government being in place promising a reduction in excess, Sri Lanka’s military continues to be one of the largest in the world per capita draining nearly half of the country’s budget to keep it afloat. 

Sri Lanka's military budget revealed last November vastly outstrips spending in other sectors. In the 2023 budget, the Ranil Wickremesinghe government allocated $1.45 billion (539 billion Sri Lankan rupees) as the cumulative budget for the Ministry of Defense and Public Security. The Ministry of Defense received $1.108 billion while the Ministry of Public Security received $350 million.

The Sri Lankan army continues to be one of the largest militaries in the world per capita and occupies vast swathes of land across the Tamil homeland. Some villages in the North-East have as many as soldier for every two civilians.

Sri Lanka has permitted the Chinese Navy training ship, Po Lang, to dock at its port for "naval exchanges and capacity building" activities, despite a 12-month moratorium introduced this year barring foreign research vessels, after security concerns raised by India and the US.

The Po Lang’s journey includes visits to multiple countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Singapore, along with a technical stop in Hong Kong. In a statement, the Sri Lanka Navy announced, "The crew members of the ship will explore some of the tourist attractions of the country during their stay in Colombo. Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel will have the opportunity to participate in briefings on the operational functions of the ship."

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath clarified the decision, explaining that the ship was allowed to dock because it is classified as "a training vessel and not a research craft." He reiterated, "There is no change in the policy regarding research vessels," as reported by AFP.

The ban on foreign research vessels was introduced following frequent requests by Chinese surveillance vessels, which raised security concerns for both India and the US. No Chinese research vessel has docked in Sri Lanka this year, following two such vessels arriving in 2023. The moratorium was due to be formally lifted in January 2025.

Last year, the US released a report suggesting China may have an interest in establishing a military base in Sri Lanka. There have also been reports of China considering the construction of a radar base in Dondra Bay, Sri Lanka’s southernmost point, to monitor the Indian Navy and UK-US military installations on Diego Garcia.

While Sri Lanka has rejected these allegations, military cooperation between the two countries has been steadily increasing.

The Sri Lankan government headed by Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reached a decision to dismantle an “Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad” which was specifically instituted by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring in investments from the diaspora and assist with ‘philanthropy’ and ‘reconciliation’ efforts. 

^{(Members of OOSLA meeting USA Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South & Central Affairs, U.S. Department of State Donald Lu, accompanied by Ambassador Julie Chung, on the work of OOSLA and connecting with Sri Lankans in America)}

The Sri Lankan government headed by Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reached a decision to dismantle an “Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad” which was specifically instituted by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring in investments from the diaspora and assist with ‘philanthropy’ and ‘reconciliation’ efforts. 

Confirming the cabinet decision, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath explained that the office's functions were deemed redundant, as other existing government institutions were already providing similar services.

“The National People’s Secretariat is not deemed necessary at the moment," he said. "There already exists a system which is being implemented by the Divisional Secretariats and at the village level. The Cabinet of Ministers decided to suspend this program as it is not necessary.”

According to the website of the office, the office was meant to serve as a “focal point for coordination with all pertinent parties to ensure that overseas Sri Lankans receive timely, efficient services and to open doors for their support as important participants in Sri Lanka’s development and reconciliation.” 

The website which is still functioning states that “over 3 million peoples are regarded to be our clients, and their lineage to Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan citizens residing and working overseas or Sri Lankan citizens naturalized in a host country or the decedents of Sri Lankans is considered to be an asset.” 

At the cabinet meeting, Herath announced that the National Peoples Power government had decided to suspend the National Peoples Council, the Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad established under the President’s Office and the Agriculture Modernization Program. He also said that the government would terminate the services of the officers and consultants who were hired on a contract basis for this project.

Sri Lanka's new government headed by president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken an executive decision to reject the resolution tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which looks set to extend the mandate of a war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for a further year.

Sri Lanka's new government  headed by president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has taken an executive decision to reject the resolution tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which looks set to extend the mandate of a war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for a further year.

The Cabinet decision released by the Government Information Department states that the Sri Lankan government has decided to reject the resolution.

"Sri Lanka has strongly rejected the proposed draft resolution, at the present session of the UNHRC, and it continues to oppose the 51/1 resolution,"  the statement read. "Sri Lanka has not agreed to a resolution that extends the powers of the collection of external evidence mechanism." 

The Cabinet which comprises President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath have also noted in their decision that they will take "firm action" on human rights issues through "local procedures". 

The UN Human Rights Council is set to vote on the resolution this month.

See the full text of the draft resolution here.

Dissanayake and the JVP have been firmly against such a move, with the JVP leader stating last month he "will not seek to punish anyone accused of rights violations and war crimes".

“Even the victims do not expect anyone to be punished,” he claimed, despite Tamils repeatedly calling for an international accountability mechanism and for Sri Lanka to be taken to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

At the same time, his party has openly embraced military officials implicated in war crimes such as retired general Aruna Jayasekara, reportedly entrusting him with their defence policy. Jeyasekara was the commander of the 3rd contingent to Haiti during a Sri Lankan peacekeeping operation that faced allegations of running a child sex trafficking ring during a UN peacekeeping operation from 2004 to 2007.

Various rights groups have been urging the UNHRC to extend its mandate to continue its crucial reporting and evidence collection of Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses for future prosecutions. 

If the mandate is not renewed, the groups said it "would disincentivise adherence to international human rights law, and betray the many victims of grave human rights violations and abuses and their families who, in the absence of domestic accountability, look to the United Nations for justice, truth and reparation."

Following the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka has secured a $200 million loan from the World Bank as part of the second instalment of the World Bank’s Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO).

Since his ascendancy to the presidency, Dissanayake has made overtures to both the West and India despite his party’s past firmly held anti-Indian opposition. The agreement with the World Bank also follows discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where the IMF warned that certain “vulnerabilities and uncertainties do remain”.

During his presidential campaign, Dissanayake pledged to “renegotiate” a much-needed IMF bailout program, with fears his pledge could potentially plunging the country back into the economic crisis it experienced in 2022.

According to a statement from the President's office, despite his campaign pledges, Dissanayake “reaffirmed the government’s broad agreement in principle with the objectives of the IMF programme but emphasized the importance of achieving these objectives through alternative means that relieves the burden off the people”.

The first portion of the World Bank’s loan under RESET DPO, totalling $500 million, was disbursed in two phases between June and December 2023. The RESET initiative is designed to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing recovery by enhancing economic governance, boosting competitiveness, and protecting vulnerable communities.

David Sislen, World Bank Regional Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of this support: 

“Sri Lanka will now have the opportunity to focus on maintaining its hard-earned stability and investing in the private sector to transform the national growth trajectory. Doing so is vital to boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring that everyone benefits from a stronger, more resilient economy.”

The agreement will see Sri Lanka introduce a range of reforms, including a new Public Debt Management Act which will inform borrowing decisions. Other reforms include amendments to the tax system and tighter regulations on financial sector risks. Additionally, changes to the Telecommunications and Electricity Acts aim to improve service quality and promote export competitiveness by lowering customs duties and phasing out para-tariffs.

The World Bank further reports that a focus of the loan is on enhancing women’s empowerment and reducing gender discrimination. 

Read more here.

Excavations at Colombo Port have uncovered eight human skeletons, at a former High Security Zone (HSZ) in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, in yet another mass grave on the island.

Speaking to News First, Professor Raj Somadeva confirmed that two of the skeletons have already been excavated and are currently under police protection.

These recent findings are part of the same skeletal remains initially unearthed in July this year, at the first roundabout after entering the Colombo Port from Chaithya Road. The area also houses the old post office and Sri Lanka’s naval base. The latest remains were discovered during excavation activities for the access elevated highway, with the first remains found buried six feet deep during construction work conducted by a private firm linked to the Colombo Port City highway.

The excavation was ordered by the court, and the Colombo Additional Magistrate was present when the remains were exhumed.

“It could take at least another month to fully excavate the mass grave,” said Raj Somadeva.

The discovery of these skeletal remains is not an isolated incident; a reported mass grave was found at the Shangri-La green grounds in Colombo during the hotel’s construction in 2017. Historical records indicate that the British used the site as a cemetery, and until 2012, it served as the headquarters of Sri Lanka’s Army.

This ongoing investigation into the skeletal remains comes against a backdrop of troubling reports by local press and NGOs, which suggest that there are at least 32 mass graves scattered throughout the island, yet no one has ever been held accountable for any of these discoveries.

Sri Lanka's head of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Kanishka D. Wijeratne, has agreed to step down after Sri Lanka's Supreme Court accepted a case challenging his appointment.

The case was brought forwards to Sri Lanka's Supreme Court by a fundamental rights petition by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) alleging that his appointment was in violation of the Anti-Corruption Act and was made in a manner than lacked transparency and did not adhere to proper procedure. Wijeratne was initally appointed to the role by Sri Lanka's former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in April 2024.

The petitioners also alledged that Wijeratne does not fully meet the necessary qualifications and legal standards required for the position. The Supreme Court bench, composed of Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Janak de Silva, and Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, presided over the hearing. Multiple respondents were named in the petitions, including Wijeratne himself. Petitioners claimed that Wijeratne’s appointment was unconstitutional and unlawful, and called for it to be revoked.

Read more here and here.

A Sinhala Buddhist monk was videoed disrupting the work of a Muslim farmer in Pulmoddai last week, amidst further attempts by the Buddhist clergy and Sri Lankan state to occupy land in the North-East.

The monk was caught on camera standing in front of a tractor being driven by a farmer who was attempting to prepare his land for farmer. Buddhist monk arrived, threatened the farmer, and disrupted the farming activities.

The aggrieved farmer has alleged that the monk is attempting to occupy these lands with the support of Sri Lanka’s Department of Archaeology.

The colonisation of traditionally Tamil areas has intensified under the guise of 'archaeology' in recent years, with more and more land being cordoned off by the state.

The British Tamil Forum (BTF) has issued a crucial call for Tamils living in the North-East of Sri Lanka to forge a strategic alliance and face future democratic processes as a unified force. This appeal comes in the wake of Anura Kumara Dissanayake's election as President of Sri Lanka, raising concerns about the implications for Tamil rights and autonomy.

In a comprehensive statement released today, the BTF emphasized the critical need for unity among Tamil political representatives, particularly given the historical context of the newly elected president's political party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

"The arrival of the newly elected President with promises of radical changes may seem a relief to many in Sri Lanka, but we must examine the implications for the Tamil community carefully," a spokesperson for the BTF stated. The organization highlighted the JVP's track record, noting its consistent opposition to devolution of power and international mediation in Sri Lankan affairs.

According to the BTF's analysis, the JVP, under Dissanayake's leadership, has historically taken positions that conflict with Tamil aspirations for autonomy. From 2000 to 2005, the party actively opposed various peace initiatives, including the Norwegian-mediated peace process and constitutional reforms aimed at devolution.

The Forum outlined several key requirements for any future political solution. These include the recognition of Tamils' inherent right to self-determination and the establishment of a federal framework. "Any negotiated political solution must be conducted through international arbitration," the statement emphasized, calling for guarantees from a core group of nations including India, the USA, the UK, the EU, and Canada.

The BTF stressed the importance of international oversight, advocating for a time-bound implementation plan to ensure equitable and sustainable peace. "The international community must play a crucial role in guaranteeing the implementation of agreements to prevent the recurrence of civil strife," the spokesperson added.

Addressing the elected Tamil representatives from the North-East, the BTF commended their recognition of victim priorities and concerns. The Forum urged these representatives to maintain their commitment to federal principles in any future negotiations. The statement reminds the Tamils that their community's strength lies in its unity, and only through collective action can they effectively advocate for their rights and future.

A. The elected Tamil representatives from the North-East of Sri Lanka have recognized and addressed the concerns and priorities of the Tamil victims. As requested by these representatives, any political solution must acknowledge the inherent right to self-determination of the Tamil people and be based on federal principles.

B. A negotiated political solution has to be conducted through an international arbitration process. The implementation of this solution must be guaranteed by a core group of nations, including India, the USA, the UK, the EU, and Canada, to ensure a sustainable, long-term political settlement.

C. International arbitrators must guarantee the implementation of subsequent agreements, to ensure non-recurrence of civil strife and cycles of violence, to attain equitable and sustainable peace, and to establish and maintain the geo-political stability of the region.

D. The international community must set up a time bound implementation plan for all the above objectives.

The full statement can be found here. 

Anura Kumara Dissanayake vowed to expedite investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings this week, as he visited the site of the attacks and was confronted by relatives of the victims.

Dissanayake’s pledge to serve justice for the bombings however stands in stark contrast to his stance on atrocities committed against the Tamil people, where he was vowed not to punish perpetrators of rights abuses and this week met with accused war criminals.

On a visit to St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, one of the attack sites, Dissanayake stressed the importance of a fair and impartial investigation, acknowledging widespread suspicion that the bombings, which killed nearly 274 people, may have been politically motivated.

Many in Sri Lanka's Christian community, as well as the broader public, share this belief, with several reports and former officials stating the security services were aware that an attack was imminent.   Sri Lanka’s own Parliamentary Select Committee (OSC) raised concerns that Sri Lanka’s security forces had permitted the attack to “create chaos and instil fear” ahead of the 2019 presidential elections which saw the ascendancy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Channel 4 documentary on the matter also supported this claim and spoke with Sri Lanka’s former director general of police, Ravi Seneviratne, who claimed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa had acted to “prevent the investigation”. The documentary further alleges that an intelligence officer with close ties to the Rajapaksa clan met with the members of the local islamist group, National Thowheeth Jama’ath (NTJ), which carried out the attack. Abeysekera also claimed that one of the suicide bombers, who died in Dehiwela, had ties to Sri Lanka’s military intelligence.

According to the President's Media Division, Dissanayake assured that restoring public trust and eliminating political interference in the investigation are top priorities. He also praised religious leaders for their role in easing tensions in the aftermath of the attacks, which targeted churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.

Dissanayake was however confronted by at least one angry relative of the Easter Sunday victims during his visit.

Doubts about the President's sincerity have emerged, particularly in light of his appointment of Seneviratne as Secretary of the Public Security Ministry. Seneviratne, a former senior officer in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), oversaw the agency during the time of the attacks. His appointment is seen by many as contradictory to Dissanayake’s pledge for transparency, as Seneviratne is currently implicated in a court case that accuses him and another former CID officer, Shani Abeysekara, of ignoring prior warnings about the bombings. Both men have denied the accusations, with Seneviratne claiming that Rajapaksa’s government obstructed the investigation into the attacks. He has even petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent his arrest.

The decision to place Seneviratne in such a powerful security role has been met with criticism. Detractors argue that his involvement could compromise the ongoing investigation, as he now holds direct authority over the police and security forces. This raises concerns about a potential conflict of interest, casting doubt on the impartiality of the probe and fuelling fears of further interference in an already controversial investigation.

Additionally, Seneviratne’s personal track record has not helped ease public concerns. He was involved in a high-profile drunk driving incident in 2023, resulting in a crash on Marine Drive in Colombo. Despite these controversies, Seneviratne has aligned himself with Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) party, presenting himself as a reformer dedicated to restoring the rule of law.

Tamil political parties across the island have begun filing their nomination papers for candidates ahead of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election next month.

Tamil political parties across the island have begun filing their nomination papers for candidates ahead of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election next month.

Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Honors Thileepan

Members of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) paid tribute at the Lt Col Thileepan memorial in Nallur before officially filing their nomination papers. As a mark of respect, they placed the papers in front the memorial before proceeding to the elections office. Among those present were MP Selvarajah Kajendran, lawyer and legal adviser Nadarajar Kandeepan, Sugash Kanagaratnam, Vasuki Sudhakar, and Thangavel Jegatheeswaran party leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam.

Sasikala Raviraj announces candidacy

Sasikala Raviraj, widow of the assassinated MP Nadarajah Raviraj and a former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) candidate for Jaffna, has signed nomination papers to run on behalf of the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DNA) in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

In the 2020 parliamentary election, Raviraj was involved in a notable intra-party dispute with then fellow TNA candidate M A Sumanthiran over a recount of preferential votes in the Jaffna district, which created significant controversy. Initially, Raviraj had expected to finish second, securing a parliamentary seat, but she was later informed that the seat had been awarded to Sumanthiran, leaving her shocked and uncertain. Constituency agents and several media outlets had also predicted Raviraj's second-place finish, yet the final result differed.

In the wake of the result, Sumanthiran was escorted by Special Task Force troops as crowds accused him of being a "cheat" and a "traitor." Raviraj’s daughter, Praviinaa, voiced her concerns on Facebook, alleging interference in the recount process. She claimed that Sumanthiran and an associate were present with election officers during the final tally.

With the TNA now disbanded, Raviraj will be running with the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, an alliance consisting of parties that pulled out of the TNA due to differences with the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) leadership.

ITAK still reeling from controversy

Recent months have seen splits rock the ITAK, one of the island’s oldest Tamil political parties.

The ITAK, also known as the Federal Party, has a rich history dating back to S J V Chelvanayakam – a legendary figure fondly remembered as the father of Eelam Tamil nationalism. In 2001, with the overt backing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the party led the newly formed Tamil National Alliance (TNA) coalition.

In the wake of the 2009 genocide and the defeat of the LTTE, the alliance depended on its near-monopoly of Tamil nationalist politics to defend unpopular positions and partnerships – including the backing of other Sinhala candidates at previous presidential polls. Sumanthiran, a divisive figure within the Tamil polity, would staunchly defend such moves, despite the backlash.

But in recent years discord has grown and the parliamentary election of 2020 saw the party lose six seats. Other parties such as the TNPF and the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani (TMTK) began gaining seats at the ITAK’s expense. In 2022 TELO leader Selvam Adaikalanathan lashed out at his colleagues in the TNA, claiming there were “two black sheep” in the coalition – hinting at both Sumanthiran then party leader R Sampanthan.

Last year the TNA was disbanded after constituent parties Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) and People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) quit, leaving the ITAK out on its own and almost derelict. Sampanthan passed away aged 91, earlier this year, having refused to ever step down as leader.

At a media briefing in Jaffna this week, the ITAK announced it’s own candidates, including current leader-elect Sivagnanam Shritharan, Sumanthiran, S C Elangovan, Kesavan Sayanthan, Chandralingam Sukirthan, Surekka Saseendran, Emmanuel Arnold, Krishnaveni Siridharan, and Thiagaraya Prakash.

Former MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam from the Batticaloa District, Party Youth Leader Krishnapillai, former mayor Thiagaraja Saravanabhavan, and retired doctor Sirinath were also listed as candidates.

Democratic Tamil National Alliance eyes up Colombo

In a strategic move, the Democratic Tamil National Alliance meanwhile announced its decision to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections in Colombo, shifting focus beyond its traditional base in the North-East. This marks a significant departure for the alliance, which will now campaign under the conch symbol. The announcement was made by Suresh Premachandran during a media briefing at his residence in Jaffna. Last week

Premachandran highlighted that the Democratic Tamil National Alliance is a registered party that previously campaigned using the Kuthu Vilakku (traditional oil lamp) symbol. He reflected on the alliance's electoral journey, particularly the collaboration during the last presidential election, when P. Ariyanenthiran ran as a ‘common’ Tamil candidate. Running under the conch symbol, the alliance managed to secure over 200,000 votes in the previous election—a move he termed a significant achievement.

To further solidify its electoral presence, the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, in conjunction with Tamil political parties and civil organizations, submitted a request to the Election Commission to adopt the conch as their official symbol for the forthcoming elections. This request, supported by a consensus among Tamil parties and civil groups, was approved, allowing the alliance to proceed with the new symbol.

Adaikalanathan Expresses Doubts About the National People’s Power (NPP)

The announcement by the Democratic Tamil National Alliance come as Selvam Adaikalanathan, head of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Movement (TELO) and a former parliamentarian, raised doubts about the National People’s Power (NPP) addressing the ethnic issues faced by Eelam Tamils. Speaking at a media briefing in Mannar, he confirmed that TELO will contest in all districts of the North-East, including Amparai and Trincomalee under the Democratic Tamil National Alliance.

While acknowledging the NPP's support in the South, Adaikalanathan questioned whether the NPP government would take meaningful steps to solve the ethnic problem or halt ongoing land grabs in Tamil areas. "Will the NPP government do anything? I am not so sure," he remarked, reflecting widespread skepticism in Tamil political circles.

Tamil paramilitary group gears up again

The Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) also submitted its nomination papers at the Jaffna District Secretariat. Party leader Douglas Devananda, a government-aligned paramilitary figure, expressed confidence in securing seats in the upcoming polls.

The EPDP functioned as a paramilitary group aligned with the Sri Lankan state and stands accused of a host of human rights abuses, including murder, extortion, kidnapping, international child trafficking and running child prostitution rings for Sri Lankan soldiers.

Read more, including from a leaked 2007 US embassy cable on the activities of the EPDP, here and here.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to extend its ‘crucial’ mandate to ensure its continued reporting and evidence collection of Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses for future prosecutions. 

In a statement, the rights group also called on newly elected Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake to “reverse the policies of his predecessors”. 

“Successive Sri Lankan governments have failed to hold accountable officials implicated in horrific abuses, particularly against Tamils and Muslims, and President Dissanayake, who has pledged to end rights violations, can alter that history by ensuring justice and protecting victims and activists,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, HRW’s deputy Asia director. 

“The Human Rights Council resolutions are a crucial means of maintaining scrutiny on rights violations in Sri Lanka, offering some hope for justice, and a lifeline for victims who are otherwise at the mercy of abusive authorities,” Ganguly added. 

A draft UNHRC resolution that was circulated last month, looks set to extend the mandate of a war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for a further year, as the Sri Lankan government continues to reject any prospect of international accountability for mass atrocities. 

During the interactive dialogue at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in September, the UN High Commissioner Volker Türk brought the Council's attention to his most recent report which details the sexual abuse and intimidation of Tamil activists by Sri Lanka’s security forces; continued crackdowns on memorial activities across the North-East; and failure to advance accountability for human rights abuses committed.

Türk said that in Sri Lanka, "a prevailing sense of impunity impedes meaningful progress and encourages continued violations and more corruption."

"The absence of accountability for past and present violations is a fundamental problem, illustrated by the lack of meaningful progress in emblematic cases," he added. 

Responding to the UN High Commissioner's report, Sri Lanka's ambassador Himalee Subhashini Arunatilaka restated the country's opposition to Resolution 51/1 and claimed that "the resolution was adopted without Sri Lanka's consent by a divided vote within this Council."

Dissanayake’s recently appointed Vijitha Herath as Sri Lanka’s country’s Foreign Minister. Shortly after taking up the post, Herath thanked Saudi Arabia for their support at the UNHRC and for helping fight off resolutions that called for accountability and prosecutions of war criminals.

Successive Sri Lankan governments have rejected the UNHRC resolutions and protected Sri Lankan officials accused of human rights abuses. 

HRW said the resolution on Sri Lanka is a “vital means to maintain international attention on this dire situation.”

Read HRW’s full statement here.

As Sri Lanka’s new president concluded talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week, the global body warned Colombo that “vulnerabilities and uncertainties do remain” and that it still needed to maintain "hard-won gains".

During his presidential campaign, Dissanayake pledged to “renegotiate” a much-needed IMF bailout program, with fears his pledge could potentially plunging the country back into the economic crisis it experienced in 2022.

According to a statement from the President's office, despite his campaign pledges, Dissanayake “reaffirmed the government’s broad agreement in principle with the objectives of the IMF programme but emphasized the importance of achieving these objectives through alternative means that relieves the burden off the people”.

The IMF, however, underscored the critical need to avoid any backsliding that could jeopardize Sri Lanka’s economy.

"Reform efforts are bearing fruit in terms of reviving economic growth, lowering inflation, boosting reserves and improving revenue mobilisation," spokesperson Julie Kozack said in Washington. "Important vulnerabilities and uncertainties do remain, and this means that sustaining reform momentum is critical."

IMF Asia Pacific Director Krishna Srinivasan called the talks "productive" and focused on maintaining "hard-won gains". He also highlighted that Sri Lanka’s access to a fourth tranche of $336 million in IMF funding depends on meeting key fiscal and spending targets as outlined in the rescue plan.

Srinivasan reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka through this period and noted that the organization would continue its close collaboration with the country's economic officials to schedule the third review of the IMF-supported program.

On the evening of October 4, Sri Lanka's finance ministry announced the completion of consultations with the Official Creditor Committee and the IMF regarding compliance with the terms of the Agreement in Principle (AIP), which was reached with both international and local holders of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) on September 19, 2024.

Though Dissanayake election promise to renegotiate the painful terms of the loan proved popular at the ballot boxes, analysts have said there may actually be little that can be changed.

"There are certain red lines that the IMF will not agree to negotiate," Murtaza Jafferjee of the think tank Advocata told AFP. "On the fiscal side, there is not much adjustment that can be done.”

Umesh Moramudali, an economics lecturer at the University of Colombo, warned that failing to secure the deal's passage could open Sri Lanka to legal action from its creditors. "It would be in the best interest of the country to avoid litigation with bondholders," he told AFP.

Dhananath Fernando, chief executive of Advocata, a research think-tank, told the Financial Times, “The way out is tough”.