The Federation of Global Tamils (FGT) invites Eelam Tamils in the homeland and diaspora, and individuals committed to its objectives, to become members and participate in shaping the Federation’s future.

This membership campaign marks an important step towards FGT’s first general election and the transition from interim leadership to a democratically constituted governing structure under its Constitution, adopted on January 24, 2026, in the United Kingdom.

FGT is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan civil society federation dedicated to uniting and empowering Eelam Tamils. Its priorities include preserving Tamil language and culture, advancing education, supporting sustainable economic development and social welfare, and strengthening cooperation between the homeland and diaspora.

Membership and participation

FGT encourages professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, youth, women and community volunteers to join and contribute their knowledge, experience and commitment.

Under the proposed election arrangements, individuals wishing to participate in the upcoming election must become members by November 30, 2026, subject to membership verification and the applicable eligibility rules.

A 50% introductory reduction in membership subscription fees is proposed to encourage enrolment. Country-specific fees and the offer’s terms will be communicated through FGT’s official channels once finalized.

Proposed election timetable

• November 30, 2026: Membership deadline for election participation.

• December 1–10, 2026: General Council nominations.

• December 19, 2026: General Council election and publication of elected members.

• December 20–31, 2026: Nominations for elected Central Committee offices.

• January 9, 2027: Election of the President and Country/Regional Chairs by the General Council.

• January 30, 2027: Announcement of the new Central Committee at FGT’s Annual Convention in the United Kingdom.

The timetable remains subject to final approval and the applicable constitutional and election procedures. The Vice President and Directors will be appointed in accordance with the Constitution. FGT’s constitutional framework provides for a 100-member General Council, comprising 90 elected representatives and 10 presidential appointees subject to Central Committee approval. An independent Election Commission is responsible for administering elections and certifying results.

Detailed information on voter and candidate eligibility, nominations, voting methods and deadline times will be provided through the formal election notice.

FGT calls on eligible individuals worldwide to take an active role in building a representative, accountable and effective federation that advances the wellbeing and aspirations of Tamil communities.

Membership enquiries: www.tamilfederation.org

Issued by:

Federation of Global Tamils (FGT)

Admin@tamilfederation.org

END

Naval and fishing communities have been warned not to venture into several deep-sea areas around Sri Lanka following the intensification of Cyclonic Storm Murasu into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

A large number of people have visited the Inland Revenue Department’s (IRD) head office to obtain Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), resulting in severe congestion.

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has questioned the protection afforded to people in State custody, alleging that individuals are being beaten, tortured and dying while under State custody.

SriLankan Airlines flight UL605 from Melbourne to Colombo declared an emergency shortly before landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) following the activation of a smoke warning in the aircraft's cargo hold.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former Secretary to the Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade, Gamini Kitsiri Dias Amarawardhana, over an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of chairs for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Polgolla.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for the Jaffna District has written to the Jaffna Municipal Council, instructing it to immediately remove the unauthorised structures at the Thileepan Memorial, located in the Nallur area of Jaffna.

Senior lawyer and veteran left-wing political figure Lal Wijenayake, a member of the National People’s Power (NPP) National Operations Committee and Executive Council, passed away on Saturday evening.

A depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm tomorrow (2), the Department of Meteorology warned.

Plans are underway to install CCTV cameras at every police station across the country, with procurement activities for the project already in progress, Police Media Spokesperson Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler said. He said steps would also be taken to monitor police stations using the CCTV footage. The project is expected to introduce a system of surveillance across police stations islandwide.

Litro Gas Lanka has announced that domestic LP gas prices will remain unchanged throughout November. The company said the decision was taken to provide relief to consumers despite rising international gas prices and challenging exchange rate conditions.

The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing trawler and apprehended seven Indian fishermen for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters north of Talaimannar this morning.

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated by 6.8% against the US dollar during the first ten months of 2026, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke to DW on Friday after talks in Montreal with European Union leaders seeking to hammer out details of a new, closer partnership between Canada and the EU.

Sri Lanka’s expenditure on fuel imports increased by 51.5% during the first nine months of 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

A valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will become mandatory from tomorrow (November 1) for several key transactions, including opening bank accounts, registering vehicles and land, registering businesses and obtaining credit cards, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) said.

Former President and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says an alliance between the UNP and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) alone will not guarantee an election victory, stressing the need to attract approximately eight million Gen Z and Millennial voters ahead of the next election.

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings declined by 9.2% during the first nine months of 2026, despite the country welcoming nearly 1.7 million international visitors, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).

The Sri Lankan government’s Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill, submitted to parliament on October 20, 2026, risks enabling arbitrary detention, torture, and other rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today.

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha has met JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva High Commission of India in Colombo said. The High Commission said discussions were centered on India and Sri Lanka ties and the contemporary developments.

Sri Lankan authorities have identified 112 individuals wanted under Interpol Red Notices who are believed to be hiding in 13 countries, with urgent measures underway to bring them back to Sri Lanka, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said.