An 18-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil refugee was killed after a bar brawl escalated into a fatal hit-and-run in Chennai’s Koyambedu in the early hours of Sunday, May 31. 

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the case.

The deceased, identified as Yancy, suffered severe head injuries after being knocked off a motorcycle by a car allegedly driven by one of the accused. A 17-year-old girl who was travelling with Yancy was also injured and has been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

According to the police, the incident stemmed from a scuffle between two groups inside a bar in Koyambedu on Saturday night. Security personnel intervened and escorted both groups out of the premises, but the altercation continued on the street.

Investigators said that some of Yancy’s friends, who were on motorcycles, allegedly pelted stones at a car occupied by the rival group, including Balakumar alias Balaguru and Suman Sakthivel, damaging the vehicle.

In retaliation, Suman Sakthivel allegedly drove the car into the motorcycles. Yancy was thrown off the vehicle and suffered fatal head injuries. She died at the scene.

Following the incident, Koyambedu police launched a search operation and examined CCTV footage from the area. Balakumar alias Balaguru, who was in the car at the time of the incident, was arrested. During questioning, he allegedly told police that his friend Suman Sakthivel was driving the vehicle when it hit the motorcycles.

Police have arrested seven people so far. Further investigation is underway. (The News Minute)

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Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Southern India in Chennai, Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, has rejected claims that he took part in a meeting with fishermen hosted by any political party, it was reported. 

According to Indian media, The Hindu, Geathiswaran said on Sunday (05) that it was a “routine visit” and that the event was not organised by any political party, adding, “I’m not here to do politics.”

The meeting came to the spotlight, after Indian Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Pawan Khera, referred to the meeting reportedly held in the last week of March in a social media post, contending that it was a gross violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations, which states that foreign diplomats “have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State”.

Pointing out that India and Sri Lanka were signatories to the Convention,  Khera further sought to know if the Election Commission of India (ECI) will issue a notice to the political party concerned and the BJP for hosting a diplomat in a political event.

Speaking to The Hindu on the matter, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Southern India in Chennai clarified that the incident referred to was his fourth meeting with fishermen in various parts of Tamil Nadu.

“From the time I came here [on his official posting in southern India], I have been discussing with fishermen. Many fishermen associations met me in my office in Chennai six months ago. This is my fourth meeting with them.” Recalling his meetings with fishermen in various parts of Tamil Nadu, he mentioned that he has met with fishermen in Puducherry, Nagapattinam, and Kanniyakumari.

Referring to his speech at the meeting, Ganesanathan Geathiswaran said that he mentioned twice that he didn’t come to represent any political party but purely came to meet the fishermen.

When asked about the social media post involving his meeting with fishermen and criticism over the meeting, Geathiswaran said, “I’m not here to do politics. I have nothing to do with politics.”

In response to criticism that his actions were argued to be against the Vienna Convention, Geathiswaran clarified: “I did not take part in any political campaign. It was in an open area along the seashore. The meeting was not on a stage and in a public area.”

Earlier, Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) president Jose Charles Martin shared photos on social media of Geathiswaran interacting at a gathering.  Martin further stated that he had invited Geathiswaran, based on their friendship, to meet and interact with fishermen from Vaithikuppam in Puducherry regarding their grievances.

Martin further stated that various issues facing fishermen in Puducherry and Karaikal were raised. He quoted Geathiswaran as saying that he would attempt to resolve those issues due to the efforts being made by Martin. (Newswire/ The Hindu)

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Indian Tamil television actress Subashini of Sri Lankan -origin, widely recognised for her role in the popular Sun TV serial Kayal, was found dead on April 6, 2026, in Chennai. 

Her sudden demise has left the television industry and her fans in shock, cutting short a career that many believed was just beginning to rise.

Subashini was originally from Sri Lanka and had moved to Chennai with aspirations of building a name for herself in the Tamil entertainment industry. Like many aspiring actors, her journey was not easy.

She navigated auditions, small opportunities, and constant competition, slowly working her way into the industry. Her determination and passion for acting helped her secure roles that showcased her emotional range and on-screen presence.

Her breakthrough came with Kayal, where her performance resonated strongly with viewers. The show, which enjoys a steady following on Sun TV, brought her into the limelight and made her a familiar face in many Tamil households.

Subashini’s portrayal in the serial stood out for its emotional depth, and she quickly earned appreciation from both audiences and colleagues.

Many within the industry saw her as a rising talent with the potential to expand into more significant roles, including opportunities in cinema.

According to reports, Subashini was found dead at her residence in Iyyappanthangal, Chennai.

Initial police investigations have indicated suicide. Authorities are continuing their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Her passing has triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, with fans and fellow actors expressing disbelief and sorrow. Many have shared clips and memories of her performances, remembering her not just as an actress but as someone who brought sincerity and authenticity to her roles.

Subashini’s journey from Sri Lanka to Tamil television remains a story of ambition and perseverance. Though her life ended tragically, her work in Kayal will continue to be remembered by viewers who connected with her performances. (Money Control/ Indian Media)

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A mother and daughter from Sri Lanka, who allegedly entered India using fake Indian passports, have been arrested in Chennai.

The duo had landed in Chennai on Monday, and upon inspection of documents by Indian immigration officials, the 48-year-old woman and her 21-year-old daughter were found to be carrying Indian passports with a Chennai address.

The duo had claimed that they had visited Sri Lanka on a tourist visa, but both were detained for questioning.

Shortly thereafter, it was confirmed that both were from Sri Lanka and had been staying illegally in Chennai for the last few years.

They had used forged documents to obtain ID proofs in India, and also fake Indian passports.

Officers arrested the duo and handed them over to the Central Crime Branch in Chennai, which has opened a probe into the person who helped them get the fake passports. (DT Next)

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A 50-year-old Sri Lankan citizen who had come to Chennai in India for business purposes was kidnapped by a gang, the India Express reported.

According to the report, the Police rescued him and arrested four people including a woman in connection with the incident.

The police identified K Chitra (43) of Anna Nagar West, M Riyaz Askhar (47) of Anna Nagar West, G Velmurugan (41) of West KK Nagar and K Dinesh (31) of West KK Nagar as the kidnappers of Mohammed Shyam, who came from Sri Lanka a few days ago and was staying at Parry’s Corner in Mannady in the northern part of Chennai.

The police said they received a complaint at the control room via phone from a woman who introduced herself as Shyam’s daughter. She said she was called on Wednesday by a person who claimed to have kidnapped her father and demanded a ransom of Rs 15 lakh for his release.

On Thursday the B-1 North Beach police tracked down the phone number from which the ransom call was made, arrested the four people and rescued Shyam. 

According to the police Chitra, whom Shyam owed money, and her boyfriend and other accomplices kidnapped the Sri Lankan man in a car. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka Tourism in coordination with the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai launched a Tourism Road Show in Southern India on Monday (24). 

According to the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, the event commenced in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Monday.

The event was launched with the participation of Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando and  Sri Lanka Tourism Brand Ambassador, Cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya. 

The Tourism Road Show was attended by a number of travel agencies from Sri Lanka and India, representatives from SriLankan Airlines as well as many other distinguished guests. 

the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai stated that the promotional Road Show will proceed to Cochin and Bangalore on 26 and 28 April, respectively. (NewsWire)

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FitsAir, Sri Lanka’s first privately owned international airline, is set to increase international flight offerings with the launch of its service from Colombo to Chennai, India.

The new direct flight from Colombo to Chennai is set to commence on 20th February 2023.

The flights will initially be operated three times a week and are expected to be upgraded to a daily service in April.

The new service will be operated by a FitsAir A320 aircraft, featuring comfortable seating and convenient flight times for customers.

As an introductory offer, FitsAir is offering an all-inclusive return air ticket priced at LKR 55,400. (NewsWire)

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