Protests for the disappeared in Sri Lanka and temple priest debates in India

In Sri Lanka, the Ampara District Association of Families of the Enforced Disappeared is marking over 4,000 days of protests seeking justice for missing relatives. Thambirasa Selvarani, the association's president, stated that the lives of the disappeared cannot be valued by a compensation of one million rupees. An international conference is scheduled for the 30th in Jaffna to address these issues, involving representatives from various sectors and international diplomats. The event will also honor over 600 mothers who have passed away while fighting for their loved ones.

In India, a heated debate occurred in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly regarding the proposal to allow individuals from all castes to serve as temple priests. Public Works Minister Adhav Arjuna questioned the implementation of this initiative, citing previous Supreme Court stays. In response, DMK MLA Sekar Babu defended the government's position, noting that legal processes and Agamas committees must determine which temples fall under specific religious regulations before appointments can be finalized.