Northern Council’s Letter Backing U.S. War Effort Raises Questions for ITAK

Northern Council’s Letter Backing U.S. War Effort Raises Questions for ITAK

JAFFNA — A resolution passed by a local government council in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province endorsing what it described as the United States’ efforts to “maintain world peace” has triggered political controversy, exposing what critics describe as a stark contradiction within the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) — a party that has long framed its politics around civilian protection and human rights. According to documents reviewed by Jaffna Monitor, the Pachchilaipalli Pradeshiya Sabha adopted


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Malaiyaha Tamils ‘No Longer Just a Labour Community,’ TPA Leader Tells Japanese Ambassador

Malaiyaha Tamils ‘No Longer Just a Labour Community,’ TPA Leader Tells Japanese Ambassador

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance, Mano Ganesan, told Japan’s ambassador to Sri Lanka on Tuesday that the country’s Malaiyaha Tamil community — nearly 1.5 million people living across the plantation districts of the central highlands — should no longer be viewed solely as a labour force and must be included more directly in international development efforts. “We are no longer merely a labour community,” Mr. Ganesan said during a meeting with Japan’s ambassador, I


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Sri Lanka Raises Fuel Prices Despite Month-Long Stocks, Sparking Transparency Debate

Sri Lanka Raises Fuel Prices Despite Month-Long Stocks, Sparking Transparency Debate

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — March 10, 2026 Sri Lanka’s decision to raise fuel prices this week, despite government assurances that the country holds more than a month’s supply of petroleum products, has sparked renewed debate about how domestic fuel prices are determined and how transparent the system is. The state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced the increase effective from midnight on March 9. Under the revised rates, Petrol 92 Octane rose by 24 rupees to 317 rupees per litre, whil


Our Special Correspondent

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Russia and Netherlands Clash in Sri Lanka Over War Photos at World Press Photo Exhibition

Russia and Netherlands Clash in Sri Lanka Over War Photos at World Press Photo Exhibition

COLOMBO — March 11, 2026 The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka has demanded the removal of photographs depicting Russia’s war in Ukraine from the 2025 World Press Photo exhibition, currently on display in Colombo and scheduled to move to Kandy. The Dutch Embassy, a co-organizer of the event, has rejected the request, calling it an infringement on freedom of expression. The exhibition, organized by the World Press Photo Foundation, the Sri Lanka Press Institute, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the


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