Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed new governors for the island's nine provinces, according to a communique from the Presidential Media Division. Nagalingam Vethanayagam has been named as the Governor of the Northern Province, while Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera has been appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province.

Nagalingam Vethanayagam assuming duties as the Northern Province Governor

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed new governors for the island's nine provinces, according to a communique from the Presidential Media Division. Nagalingam Vethanayagam has been named as the Governor of the Northern Province, while Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera has been appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province.

Nagalingam Vethanayagam – Northern Province Governor

Nagalingam Vethanayagam, a seasoned public servant, is known for his long-standing service as a government agent. Vethanayagam joined the Sri Lanka Administrative Service in 1991 and served throughout the armed conflict in the North-East Province. He has previously servied in roles such as the District Secretary of Kilinochchi.

After the conflict ended in 2009, Vethanayagam was arrested by the security forces under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Vethanayagam continued to serve in Jaffna, where he remained a public servant.

During the time Gotabaya Rajapaksa was president, Vethanayagam was forced into retirement although he had three months to go before he formally retired. It was reportedly due to government interference that he was forced into early retirement.

Earlier this week, he assumed duties as the Northern Province governor. Speaking at the ceremony, Vethanayagam praised Dissanayake, stating he was given this position only because the president 'was aware of his character' and 'no other president would have given him such an opportunity to serve his people'.

Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera – Eastern Province Governor

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Governor for the Eastern Province, Professor Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, comes from an academic background. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Vice Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University, a position he has held since 2017.

His academic journey began at Agrabodhi Vidyalaya in Kanthale, followed by secondary education at Nalanda College, Colombo. He graduated with honors in Chemistry from People’s Friendship University in Moscow in 1988 and earned his PhD in Chemistry from the same institution in 1993. Other Alumni from the Russian university include Rohana Wijeweera, the founder of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

Professor Ratnasekera joined Rajarata University as a Senior Lecturer in 1996 and was promoted to Professor of Chemistry in 2018. His leadership roles included serving as Head of the Department of Physical Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. He has been involved in several World Bank-funded education projects and received the Presidential Award for Scientific Publications in 2016 and the National Research Council Merit Award in 2017. 

Thousands of postcards addressed to Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya were sent today from Mannar, with Tamil residents urging the Sri Lankan government to immediately suspend the Adani Renewable Energy Project in the district.

The signatories of the postcards noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had previously stated in the media that he would suspend the project, and they are calling on him to honor that promise. The signed postcards were mailed today from local post offices. Dissanayake had told the media that Sri Lanka was not benefiting from the project and that he would reconsider it if he came to power.

Meanwhile, residents in Mannar argue that the construction of such a power plant in a densely populated district has serious repercussions for the environment and the livelihoods of people in the area. They have been protesting for months, urging the government to reconsider the project. However, the government under Ranil Wickremesinghe assured the Indian government that it would proceed with the project, despite growing opposition from Tamils in the area and environmentalists concerned about its impact on the region's biodiversity.

A new round of signatures was gathered at the Mannar Bus Terminal today before the postcards were dispatched to local post offices.

An individual claiming to be a supporter of the National People's Power (NPP) disrupted a protest organized by the Families of the Disappeared in Vavuniya, harassing and intimidating the demonstrators while threatening them with arrest. The protest grew tense as the man shouted insults at the families from a distance, calling them "dogs" and attempting to provoke them.

Bystanders watched as the man yelled, "This is Anura's rule. You are getting money. I will hand you over to the police." He then made a phone call, telling the women that he would have them arrested. In response, the women asserted their right to protest and questioned his authority, asking, "Who are you to give us orders? Go tell the police what you want to. If you can, shut us down and we will see."

At one point, the man shouted, "We will check your accounts," to which the women demanded to know what authority he had to disrupt their protest and make such threats. He responded disrespectfully, accusing them of receiving money from the Tigers, and shouted back, "Why are you screaming? You must be getting money in your bank accounts from the Tigers."

The man continued pacing the area, demanding that the women tear down their banners. "I am with AKD," he declared, referring to Anura Kumara Dissanayake. "You all are dogs. I will crush you all," he threatened, even targeting an elderly family member. The women reiterated their right to protest on their own land, to which he responded, "The government has changed. It's Malimawa now. I stand with Anura Kumara. I will have the police round you all up now. What is Sumanthiran doing for you? Anura Kumara is the one who told me."

He also shouted, "Why didn't you ask this from Sampanthan? Didn't you see he went up? Why didn't you ask him? I will have the CID come and round you all up."

The protest, organized by the Families of the Disappeared, was held to mark Children's Day as a day of mourning. These families continue their relentless search for loved ones who have been missing for years. During the final stages of the armed conflict, tens of thousands of Tamils were massacred, and hundreds more disappeared after being handed over to Sri Lanka's security forces. For years, these families have been demanding an international mechanism to provide answers about the fate of their missing relatives.

Tamil family members of the enforced disappeared staged a protest outside the IOM office in Jaffna today, marking Children's Day as a day of mourning by the families who continue to search for their loved ones.

Tens of thousands of Tamils were massacred during the final stages of the armed conflict, while countless more were forcibly disappeared after being handed over to Sri Lanka's security forces.

The families have been agitating for years demanding an international accoutnability mechanism and answers as to the wherabouts of their loved ones.

To date, successive governments have refused to honour their demands.

Today marks the birthday of Balachandran Prabhakaran, the third child of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was executed by the Sri Lankan military during the final days of the Mullivaikkal massacre.

Balachandran, who was born on the 1^st of October 1996, would be 28 years old today.

Today marks the birthday of Balachandran Prabhakaran, the third child of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who was executed by the Sri Lankan military during the final days of the Mullivaikkal massacre.

Balachandran, who was born on the 1^st of October 1996, would be 28 years old today.

Aged just 12 years old, he was one of thousands of children killed by the Sri Lankan military. Leaked trophy photographs taken by Sri Lankan soldiers, show the child in their custody sitting with a snack in his hand, sitting on a bench surrounded by sandbags, in what looks like a fortified army position.

Subsequent photographs show the boy lying dead on the ground, with bullet wounds through his chest.  

Digital analysis of both pictures shows that they were taken by the same camera, only a couple of hours apart, according to Callum Macrae, director of the documentary called “No Fire Zone”.

“The new photographs are enormously important evidentially because they appear to rule out any suggestion that Balachandran was killed in cross-fire or during a battle. They show he was held, and even given a snack, before being taken and executed in cold blood,” claimed Macrae according to the Independent. “It is difficult to imagine the psychology of an army in which the calculated execution of a child can be allowed with apparent impunity. That these events were also photographed and kept as war trophies by the perpetrators is even more disturbing.”

Macrae added,

“In addition to the footage of the boy's dead body lying beside his slaughtered bodyguards, Channel 4 has obtained a series of high-resolution stills of the scene. These have been analysed by a respected forensic pathologist, Professor Derrick Pounder, to assess the cause of death. It is possible, he suggests, that the boy may have been made to watch the execution of his bound and blindfolded guards before the gun was turned on him.”

“Professor Pounder believes he has identified the first of the shots to be fired at the boy: "

There is a speckling from propellant tattooing, indicating that the distance of the muzzle of the weapon to this boy's chest was two to three feet or less. He could have reached out with his hand and touched the gun that killed him."”

See more from the 2013 No Fire Zone documentary below.

Trigger warning - Graphic footage and distressing images

More Sri Lankan denials

The Sri Lankan government, as usual, denied any wrongdoing. Then Sri Lankan president, and current Sri Lankan prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed;

“Had it happened, I would have known [it]. It is obvious that if somebody [from the armed forces] had done that, I must take responsibility. We completely deny it. It can’t be.”

Commenting on the evidence of the execution of the former commander of the army has said that the army Sarath Fonseka claimed he had "no information" as to the whereabouts of Prabhakaran's family.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Fonseka said:

“The Army had no information, never had any positions of Prabhakrans wife, daughter and the youngest son. We did not have clue about their presence or the whereabouts, whether they were in the country or they died during the war, we didn’t have any information about them.”

A frontline soldier testified to Channel 4 that the executions were carried out under orders “from the top”.

"Yes, our commander ordered us to kill everyone. We killed everyone," claimed one frontline soldier. “It is clear that such orders were, in fact, received from the top."

See the report from Channel 4 below.

Protests across Tamil Nadu

The leaked photographs sparked outrage across Tamil Nadu, where tens of thousands of people across the state took part in widespread protests. Demonstrations began after students of Loyola College undertook a hunger strike, leading to the closure of colleges across the state, as students joined mass demonstrations.

Rallies and protests swept through the state, with the film industry joining the outrage, and pressured the Tamil Nadu state assembly into adopting a resolution calling for a referendum among Eelam Tamils in the North-East of the island of the Sri Lanka, and those who have fled the conflict, on the formation of an independent state of Tamil Eelam.

Why Balachandran had to die - Editorial

“The recent publication of pictures of Balachandran Prabhakaran, hours before his execution, reiterates once again the brutality of Sri Lanka’s armed forces. The youngest son of the LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran was only one of thousands killed by the Sri Lankan army, but this execution was different from most other killings. The twelve year old was singled out and executed because he was seen as a representation of the Tamil national struggle. In killing him, the Sri Lankan army, was fulfilling its intention of materially destroying the Tamil struggle. Due to Balachandran’s significance there is also no doubt that the orders for his execution would have come from the very top: either the defence secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse or his brother, President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Balachandran did not represent a threat to Sri Lanka in any shape or form and would not have made a difference to Sri Lanka’s victory. Nothing was to be gained by the execution of this child. And yet, Balachandran was killed; shot five times at close range. It was an act imbued with momentous significance. In executing Balachandran, the Sinhala military was also annihilating the Tamils’ struggle and affirming to itself its complete dominance over the Tamil people. The Sri Lankan military’s abuses cannot be seen as individualised violations. Rather they are part of the state’s collective targeting of the Tamil population.”

Read more in our February 2013 editorial here.

The British Tamil Conservatives (BTC) hosted their annual reception at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham on Sunday, with number of current and former parliamentarians present. Speakers at the event highlighted the contributions of the British Tamil community and reiterated their commitment to advocating for justice for Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Former All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils' Chair Elliot Colburn hosted the event and introduced the long array of speakers. 

Andrew Mitchell, the current Shadow Foreign Secretary, acknowledged, "we know that the Tamil community contributed an enormous amount to life across our country" and, "we know the debt we owe to the Tamil community." He concluded with, "I salute the work the Tamil community does throughout our country."

Chris Philp, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, highlighted shared values between the British Tamil community and the Conservative Party, citing "entrepreneurship, hard work, education, and family values." He also affirmed, "we as a party are committed to making sure those injustices get investigated and those wrongs get righted.”

Shivani Raja the new member of parliament for Leicester East acknowledged the community's significant contributions to trade and culture, stating, "The British Tamil community has contributed heavily to trade and culture," and highlighted their dedication to preserving their heritage and traditions.

Jason Perry, the Mayor of Croydon, also spoke, stating, "We have a fantastic Tamil community in Croydon" and emphasised the importance of delivering on promises related to sanctions and justice for Tamils. Number former parliamentarians who are long term supporters of Tamils also attended the event and reiterated their support for the community. 

Steve Tuckwell, the former MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, expressed his solidarity, stating, "My heart goes out to the Tamil community" and added that he wanted "to work with […] and support the wonderful Tamil community."

Paul Scully, former Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, pledged his commitment to the Tamil community, stating, "I am going to be with you every step of the way to get justice, reconciliation, and truth in Sri Lanka." He also mentioned efforts to "help you to get our first Tamil MP on Conservative benches."

Theresa Villiers, former MP for Chipping Barnet, reassured the audience of her continued support, saying, "Rest assured that I remain committed to the Tamil community." She added that, "if the Sri Lankan state is unable to implement justice and accountability, then the International Criminal Court needs to get involved to provide it.”

In addition leadership candidates and representatives of leadership candidates also attended the event.

Lord Bailey, a Conservative member of the House of Lords and a supporter of Kemi Badenoch, praised the Tamil community as "one of the brightest stars in London’s community landscape."

Tom Tugendhat, former Security Minister and leadership candidate, commended the contributions of the British Tamil community, stating, "The British Tamils have done so much for the British community."

Susannah Cleverly, wife of former Home Secretary and leadership candidate James Cleverly, praised the Tamil community for their societal contributions.

The Chairman of the Conservative Party, Richard Fuller, also paid a visit and engaged in a discussion with BTC members.

The party conference takes place after the Conservatives fell out of power, following 14 years in government.

Writing in the Hamilton Spectator, Gwynne Dyer, questions who is responsible for Sri Lanka’s dire economic and political status. Comparing Sri Lanka’s post-independence history to that of its south asian neighbours, Dyer notes that “none compares with Sri Lanka for sustained, large-scale violence across five decades”.

Dyer notes that in addressing this question there are many contenders;

“You could blame the Buddhist extremists of the majority Sinhalese population who led the first pogroms against the Tamil minority in 1958, or the Marxist insurrection that broke out in 1971 (30,000 dead) and resumed in 1987-89 (60,000 dead), or the government-backed attacks on Tamils that started the 26-year-long civil war in 1983 (100,000 dead).

Or you could choose the massacres of Tamils that ended that war in 2009 and brought the Rajapaksa clan to power, or the deluded Sinhalese Buddhists who went on voting for the Rajapaksas even as they looted the economy, or the 2019-2022 economic collapse that made even food and medicines unavailable to much of the population”.

Turning to Sri Lanka’s recent elections, he explains the victory of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Janatha Vimukthi Peremanuna (JVP) candidate, is due to the “despairing and disillusioned electorate [that] was willing to bet on any party that has not already failed”.

He expressed scepticism over the new administration stating;

“Dissanayake will not get better terms on Sri Lanka’s debt while he is simultaneously cutting taxes and raising welfare payments. He will probably have to start printing money again (inflation is currently under control) to cover even half his promises”.

He concludes his argument reflecting on the island’s history under colonial rule and stresses that blame on the British empire is insufficient;

“this is really an inadequate explanation for the mass murders of Tamils by Sinhalese mobs, police or soldiers which are a recurrent feature of post-independence Sri Lankan history”.

Instead he notes that; 

The “likelier answer is that Buddhist communities in south and Southeast Asia feel besieged even when they are in the majority, and lash out against communities of other faiths that really pose no threat to them”.

Read the full piece here

Tamil Families of the Disappeared will mark October 1 as a day of sorrow and mourning across the North-East, remembering the tens of thousands of Tamils who were killed or forcibly disappeared during Sri Lanka's decades-long armed conflict.

Nirmalnathan Nirajani, a Tamil mother of the disappeared, said the day, on which Sri Lanka marks “Children’s Day” was one filled with grief for Tamils.

"In this country, October 1st is a day to commemorate children, but do people realise how many of our children we've buried or lost?" she asked. "Stories that haunt us—mothers who still don’t know the fate of their newborns—remain fresh in our minds. These memories gnaw at us. So many children disappeared, never to be seen again."

"We will mark October 1st as a day of mourning and sorrow,” she continued. “Whether or not the new government brings us justice, every home in the North-East will raise a black flag in solidarity. We still don’t know the fate of our children—whether they are dead or alive."

The families plan to protest in Nallur and are calling on Tamils across the North-East to join them in this act of remembrance and resistance. "We remember children standing in the queue waiting for a cup of porridge but were shelled and killed before our eyes," she said  "We didn't even have the chance to perform their last rights or a place to bury them." 

She said that its been 15 years and families had been wiped out, others had been left orphaned. "We should stand up for the children who are still with us," she said. "We are not in a position to even commemorate this day with the children around us. The day we receive our children back to our arms is the day that we will celebrate Children's day."

A memorial was held at the Jaffna Press Club to commemorate the late journalist and cartoonist Ashwin Sutharshan as well as supporter of Tamil Eelam struggle Viraj Mendis.

Ashwin's parents who were present at the memorial placed a garland of flowers and lit candles by his framed photograph. Jaffna University Arts Faulty Dean Kalanithi Raghuram and Head of Media Studies Poongulaly Srisangeerthanan also attended the event. The event was held under the leadership of Press Club President Selvakumar.

Ashwin's parents also donated a scholarship to an underprivileged student to pursue a course in media at the university. 

The journalists also paid tribute to Viraj Mendis, a political activist and campaigner who passed away in Germany earlier this year.

Pic by Isura Nimantha | Credit: Shutterstock

Sri Lanka's acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, has announced that the island's notorious anti-drug crackdown, Operation Yukthiya, will continue 'strongly and better' despite a change in administration.

“The police have always been involved in raids, and the majority of our personnel were part of Yukthiya operations. We have identified shortcomings in other areas due to this operation, and we are working to address them. While Yukthiya was the name given to the operation, we will continue it in the same manner as before," Weerasooriya told reporters in Kandy. 

Although the Sri Lankan government claims the operation’s objective is to reduce crime, Operation Yukthiya has faced severe criticism for its heavy-handed tactics, leading to the arrest of over 30,000 individuals. Security forces have carried out raids without search warrants, detaining suspected drug dealers and users, and sending hundreds to military-run rehabilitation centers.

Reports suggest that during and after these operations, numerous human rights violations occurred, including unauthorized searches, arbitrary arrests and detentions, ill-treatment, torture, and even public strip searches. In one disturbing case, a 17-year-old boy was allegedly forced to strip naked on Galle Road for merely carrying a pair of scissors. Lawyers representing those detained have claimed they faced intimidation from police officers.

UN experts, part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, have criticised the operation, stating, “Drug users have human rights. They deserve to live with dignity, without facing further discrimination and stigmatization. The current climate of severe repression against suspected drug offenders is deeply troubling”.

Operation Yukthiya, announced just a day before its launch on December 17, 2023, was initiated under the directive of then Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles and Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, with support from the Special Task Force (STF) and the Sri Lankan Army. Thousands of suspects were rounded up during nationwide raids for drug possession and involvement in other crimes. Despite calls from both local and international groups to suspend the operation, the previous government proceeded, asserting that the drug crisis and organized crime could be eliminated within months.

A coalition of Eelam Tamil women from Sri Lanka’s North-East held a media briefing in Jaffna recently, calling for greater representation and attention to their rights ahead of the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14. The women expressed their desire for a female leader to represent their community's aspirations and struggles, marking a significant step in their long-standing fight for equality and justice.

The coalition emphasized that for over three decades, Eelam Tamil women have lived in silence, deprived of basic rights and dignity. Despite facing immense hardships, including the loss of breadwinners in their families and enduring the brutal aftermath of the armed conflict, these women have continued to carry the burden of raising their families and sustaining their communities. However, they stated that their voices have remained unheard, and there has been little to no recognition of their contribution or rights from the state.

“We have suffered greatly and unjustly, yet we have gone about our daily lives. But there has been no effort from the state to offer us equal opportunities,” said Vimala, one of the coalition members. The women acknowledged that while Sri Lanka has made strides in advancing women in leadership roles—such as the recent appointment of a female prime minister—they urged the government to extend this recognition to the women of the North-East.

“We congratulate the president for appointing a woman as prime minister, but we ask that he also pays attention to us,” the women said. They expressed hope that the current government, which they feel shows respect for women's rights, would also consider their plight and offer them an opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development.

The coalition pointed out that women are key stakeholders in society and should not be sidelined. "It’s unfair to say that women only offer half of what men can. We are capable of contributing just as much to the growth of this nation," they declared. Despite decades of hardship, they believe it is their right to demand equality, protection, and a voice in the decision-making processes that shape their futures.

One of the pressing issues highlighted during the briefing was the impact of alcoholism on the North-East communities. The women explained how alcohol abuse has devastated families, particularly affecting young children. “This is not something we were used to in the North-East,” they said, calling for stricter regulation on liquor licenses to prevent further damage to their communities.

The coalition also criticized the lack of transparency in how their grievances have been presented on the global stage. They noted that when women from their community have traveled to international forums, such as Geneva, to raise awareness about their struggles, they have been told not to speak out. Meanwhile, others who represent them often conceal the truth. “The truth cannot be hidden forever. It will come out at some point,” they affirmed, vowing to continue their fight for justice.

The group underscored that women have consistently stood up for their communities since the end of the armed conflict in 2009, representing widowed women, women with disabilities, and those without livelihoods. However, they lamented that no one has yet stood up for them. With representation from every district in the North-East, this coalition is determined to form a united front and demand their rightful place. “We are here to ask for our right to speak up,” they concluded. “The people have been fooled, and women have been fooled—but not anymore.”

Hundreds of Tamils, including men, women, and the elderly, gathered at the crossroads of the Mannar-Talaimannar main road to protest against the opening of a liquor store, which was granted a license despite fierce opposition from the community and local clergy.

Protesters staged a sit-in to block the store, while others held banners demanding that authorities permanently close the establishment. In a symbolic act, a coffin was placed in the middle of the road to represent the perceived harm the store could cause to the community. They argued that keeping the store open, in an area densely populated with youth training centers, places of worship, and schools, would adversely affect the community.

This is not the first time that protests have been held against the liquor store in Mannar. Last month, residents staged a demonstration in front of the Mannar District Secretariat, calling on the District Government President to prevent the store from opening.

In response, Mannar Divisional Secretary M. Pradeep engaged with the protesters, but they insisted that the Mannar District Government President, K. Kanakeswaran, visit the site. He eventually met with the community and listened to their concerns. However, both the Divisional Secretary and the President explained that they lacked the authority to close the liquor store immediately and that any such action would need to come from the Commissioner General of the Liquor Department.

The controversy surrounding the store has drawn national attention. All Ceylon People's Congress leader, Rishad Bathiudeen, has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to revoke the store’s license. In a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bathiudeen highlighted the liquor store’s proximity to schools, garment factories, and residential areas. He noted that the store's opening has caused growing unrest, with protests intensifying over the past month. Bathiudeen also claimed that the license was issued by the previous government for political reasons, questioning the decision to allow such a business in a highly sensitive area, especially when the local population has been vocal in its opposition.

The latest protest comes in the wake of allegations that Tamil lawmakers were amongst those that received licenses granted by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe. The claims have been made by MPs from both the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani (TMTK).

According to Sri Lanka's Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC), the North-East has some of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the country. Batticaloa district reports the highest percentage (37.8%), while Jaffna records 20.4%. The fear is that introducing more liquor outlets in such regions could further exacerbate existing social problems, caused by decades of genocide and an ongoing Sri Lankan military occupation.

For months, the people of Mannar have made their stance clear: they are unwilling to allow the normalization of alcohol in their community, particularly near places of worship and educational institutions. Despite promises from officials, the situation remains unresolved, and the community’s anger continues to grow.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has called on Sri Lankans to register for construction jobs in Israel, even as the country intensifies military operations across Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and Syria.

An official announcement on the government Department of Information's website on Thursday urged skilled workers - specifically wire benders, tile masons, shuttering carpenters, and plaster masons between the ages of 25 and 44 with valid passports - to apply immediately. In addition to construction roles, the SLBFE has also advertised job opportunities in Israel’s hotel and agricultural sectors. 

The timing of this recruitment drive has raised alarm given the volatile situation in Israel, where continued airstrikes and military engagements are causing heightened insecurity. Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have expressed concerns about the increasing likelihood of a full-scale regional war.

Israel's economy, already strained by its ongoing war, is experiencing significant pressure, with local reports indicating a notable downturn. Historically, the country has relied on foreign workers to sustain key industries. Nevertheless, concerns over the treatment of migrant labourers have persisted for years, with Human Rights Watch reporting ongoing abuses, even during times of relative stability.

Amid ongoing instability in the region, the recent appeal for labour has sparked concerns among observers about whether the Sri Lankan government is prioritising economic opportunities over the safety of its citizens.

An Eelam coin, engraved with the name Rajaraja Chola (c. 985-1012 AD) was unearthed by 3 Tamil school girls whilst playing in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India. A week ago, the school girls dug a pit near their homes whilst playing and unearthed the coin, alongside Chinese porcelain, potsherds, iron ore and red potsherds.

An Eelam coin, engraved with the name Rajaraja Chola (c. 985-1012 AD) was unearthed by 3 Tamil school girls whilst playing in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India.

A week ago, the school girls dug a pit near their homes whilst playing and unearthed the coin, alongside Chinese porcelain, potsherds, iron ore and red potsherds.

On one side of the coin, a man is seen standing with a flower in his hand. On his left there are 4 circles, a crescent above him and on the right there is a trident and a lamp. On the other side of the coin, a man is sat with a conch in his hand. The name "Srirajaraja" is engraved in Devanagari script near his left hand in three lines.

V Rajaguru, secretary of the heritage club that the school girls are part of and president of the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation, said that Eelam coins were issues in gold, silver and copper. This was to commemorate the conquest of Sri Lanka by Rajaraja Chola I.

This is not the first time an Eelam coin has been unearthed. They have been found in coastal areas of Ramanathapuram district like Periyapattinam, Thondi, Kalimankundu and Alagankulam. These coins were issued in Tamil Eelam and in Sri Lanka and were in circulation in the countries that the Cholas ruled.

The Chola Empire is known as being one of the longest-ruling dynasties in the world's history, with an empire expanding across South Asia and South-East Asia. At one point, it ruled across the whole island of Tamil Eelam and Sri Lanka.

Read more here