"If Sri Lankan Tamils Truly Want to Shape Their Destiny, They Must First Become Financially and Institutionally Self-Reliant” – Prof. Thavam Thambipillai in Exclusive Interview with Jaffna Monitor
Prof. Thavam Thambipillai

"If Sri Lankan Tamils Truly Want to Shape Their Destiny, They Must First Become Financially and Institutionally Self-Reliant” – Prof. Thavam Thambipillai in Exclusive Interview with Jaffna Monitor

In many ways, Prof. Thavam ThambiPillai stands as an inspiring role model for Sri Lankan Tamils—and a guiding light for a community long in search of grounded, visionary leadership. A distinguished transplant surgeon, educator, and institutional leader, he became the first Sri Lankan Tamil—and possibly the first Tamil globally—to be elected World President of the International College of Surgeons (ICS). His journey is a masterclass in transforming tragedy into triumph and pain into profound purp
Interview August 2025
Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam
‘Jews and Jaffna Tamils Share Intellectual and Cultural Bonds’ — Israeli Envoy Pledges Israel’s support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and sustainable growth
Ambassador Reuven Azar

‘Jews and Jaffna Tamils Share Intellectual and Cultural Bonds’ — Israeli Envoy Pledges Israel’s support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and sustainable growth

Ambassador Reuven Azar currently serves as Israel's Ambassador to India and Non-resident Ambassador to both Sri Lanka and Bhutan. A seasoned diplomat with over three decades of experience, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Israel's foreign policy across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Reuven Azar has previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor for Foreign Policy at Israel's National Security Council and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel. His story
Interview August 2025
Our Reporter

Our Reporter
Two Centuries, Zero Extremists: How Bohras Became Sri Lanka's Model Muslims

Two Centuries, Zero Extremists: How Bohras Became Sri Lanka's Model Muslims

The usually bustling streets of Colombo took on a distinctly vibrant hue late last month, as over 10,000 members of the Dawoodi Bohra community from around the world descended on the city for a week-long spiritual convention. Held from June 27 to July 5, the gathering coincided with the global Ashara Mubaraka sermons led by the community’s spiritual leader, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, in Chennai, India. The Colombo leg of the event, held primarily at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centr
Cover Story Editorial
Aruliniyan Mahalingam

Aruliniyan Mahalingam
Trump's Tariff Cut: From 44% to 30% – Will This Crisis Break Us—or Remake Us?

Trump's Tariff Cut: From 44% to 30% – Will This Crisis Break Us—or Remake Us?

Sri Lankans awoke this week to a curious cocktail of relief and dread. On July 9, 2025, in a characteristically dramatic turn, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the steep 44% tariff slapped on Sri Lankan exports would be trimmed to 30%. Set to take effect on August 1, the reduction is part of Trump’s aggressive “reciprocal tariff” doctrine—his claim to level the playing field by matching the import taxes that other nations impose on American goods. While 30% is still a heavy blow, it’s
Cover Story July 2025
Economics Desk

Economics Desk
Archbishop, Archbishop, why hast thou forsaken us in our hour of sorrow and slaughter?

Archbishop, Archbishop, why hast thou forsaken us in our hour of sorrow and slaughter?

"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." - Isaiah 58:1 His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo and chief shepherd of the Catholic flock in all of Sri Lanka, has recently marked fifty years in the sacred priesthood. As the highest-ranking prelate whose dominion spans the entire island, he now stands as a mighty voice crying for justice, calling upon the nations of the earth for interv
Editorial July 2025
Kaniyan Pungundran

Kaniyan Pungundran
Why Extremism Never Found a Home: The Bohra Approach to Faith and Scripture

Why Extremism Never Found a Home: The Bohra Approach to Faith and Scripture

"Tell me something," said a dear friend of mine—an expert in security studies—as we spoke about the Dawoodi Bohras over coffee one evening. "Have you ever heard of a Bohra being involved in a bomb blast? A shooting? Any terrorist group claiming to defend Islam through violence that had Bohra links?" He paused. "No, right?" "That's not a coincidence," he continued. "It's actually one of the most remarkable things about the Bohras—whether in Sri Lanka, South Asia or anywhere in the diaspora. Whil
Cover Story July 2025
Kaniyan Pungundran

Kaniyan Pungundran
MP = Minimum Payer: How Sri Lanka’s Lawmakers Made Tax Evasion Legal

MP = Minimum Payer: How Sri Lanka’s Lawmakers Made Tax Evasion Legal

A political grenade was lobbed into the tax debate when Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Jagath Withana casually dropped his salary slips on Facebook—only to reveal that Sri Lankan MPs are paying as little as 1% in income tax. While average citizens cough up tax rates three times higher, our honourable lawmakers seem to enjoy a VIP pass through the tax maze. The revelation raised not just eyebrows but also blood pressure across both the public and private sectors. Irritated and clearly not amused, the
Monitor Memo July 2025
Jaffna Monitor

Jaffna Monitor
Chettiar’s Head Bears All Sins

Chettiar’s Head Bears All Sins

From a Facebook post by Siva Ramasamy | Translated by JM Amid the ongoing controversy over whether Sara, also known as Pulastini, is alive or dead, MP Mujibur Rahman stated in Parliament that a SIM card was recently obtained in her name. Upon hearing this, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ishara Sewwandi—allegedly the mastermind behind the courtroom assassination of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa—also ends up with a SIM card in her name. Though I sometimes consider avoiding political commen
JM Pulse July 2025
Jaffna Monitor

Jaffna Monitor