JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — A 37-year-old government employee and mother of two was electrocuted Sunday evening at the Uduvil Divisional Secretariat after staff members were instructed to report to the office on what would ordinarily have been a day off to prepare for a government productivity assessment scheduled for Monday. The death of Nishanthan Sinthupiriya, a development officer attached to the Indigenous Medicine sector, has prompted questions about why employees were called in on a Sunday, who

JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — A local councillor from Sri Lanka’s governing National People’s Power was arrested early Sunday after allegedly entering the home of a retired government official in Nelliady with a group of associates while intoxicated, damaging property and threatening those inside. Roughly six hours later, he was released on police bail, prompting allegations that political pressure helped secure his release. Santhirakumar Kanesaruban, an NPP member of the Vadamaradchi South West Pradeshi

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The United Nations’ top official in Sri Lanka called on the government on Sunday to strengthen investigations into enforced disappearances, conduct independent forensic examinations of mass graves, and ensure that families searching for missing relatives can participate meaningfully in the process. Marc-André Franche, the United Nations resident coordinator in Sri Lanka, made the appeal in a video statement marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappeara