Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Three thousand years deep - Evidence uncovers Velanai's ancient seafarers
A newly published study has identified the earliest scientifically confirmed evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back around 3,460 years and overturning an erroneous long-held Sri Lankan assumption that the region was largely uninhabited until much later. The study, published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology and led by…

Sri Lanka PM reiterates navy can shoot Indian fishermen in its waters

Mar 15, 2015
The Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe reiterated his defence of the Sri Lankan navy's shooting at Indian fishermen who stray into its waters, stating that it was Sri Lanka's right.

"The Lankan navy has the right to shoot in any part of the country if anyone enters territorial waters, this is nothing new," Mr Wickremasinghe told NDTV on Monday.

His comments come just days after the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, visited Sri Lanka and stated that the issue of fishermen across the Palk Straits was a "humanitarian" issue and must be resolved through dialogue.

Sri Lanka's cabinet approves 19th amendment draft bill

Mar 15, 2015
Sri Lanka's cabinet on Sunday approved the draft bill on the 19th Amendment to the constitution, amending powers vested with the executive president.

Reforms will include the reduction of the president's term from six years to five years and transferring the power to dissolve parliament from the president to parliament itself.

"The Presidential immunity from being sued over matters conducted during his period of office is to also be removed under the proposed reforms," reported Sri Lankan government's news site.

Dismembered human remains found in Vadamaradchi

Mar 15, 2015
Mutilated remains were found washed up on Kudaarappu shore in Vadamaradchi on Saturday, reports Uthayan.

The dismembered body, which was discovered by locals, had its head and limbs severed off, and was found in a decomposing state.

The condition of the body means it is not possible to identify as male of female, police said.

The Point Pedro magistrate, M. Ganesharajah has ordered an investigation into the finding.

Tamils demonstrate outside UNHRC calling for investigation into genocide by Sri Lanka

Mar 15, 2015
Photographs Tamil Guardian

Hundreds of Tamils demonstrated outside the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, calling for an investigation into genocide and a referendum for the Eelam Tamils on self-determination.

Tamil Nadu protestors demand UN release report on Sri Lanka's mass atrocities

Mar 15, 2015
Protestors in India demanded the United Nations release a report on mass atrocities in Sri Lanka and that former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapksa be tried for war crimes.

Demonstrators gathered in front of Tanjavur railway station on Friday demanding action form the United Nations. Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M. H. Jawahirullah told the Hindu,

“But we suspect that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena would conspire to protect Mr. Rajapaksa. The UN body must go ahead and present its report and bring Mr. Rajapaksa to justice for his role in the war crimes”.

NFF walked out of Modi's speech to protest against 13A

Mar 15, 2015
The leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa walked out of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech to the Sri Lankan parliament, as a protest against the 13th Amendment, reports the Island.

The Indian prime minister had visited the island and called on the Sri Lankan government to “go beyond” the 13th amendment, telling the parliament that he was “a firm believer in co-operative federalism”.

Valalai people visit HSZ to find their homes and wells destroyed

Mar 14, 2015
Photograph: Tamil Guardian

Displaced Tamils from the region of Valalai were allowed to walk through their former homelands for the first time in 25 years on Friday, after the Sri Lankan military displaced locals and converted the area into a High Security Zone in 1990.


An official meeting was held on Wednesday, by the chairman of the resettlement authority, Harim Peiris, who pledged to resettle the Valalai people to view their lands and be resettled before the end of the week.

The families upon visiting their lands on Friday, expressed concern that their homes and wells and been demolished whilst the borders of their lands unidentifiable, reports Uthayan. 

International judicial mechanism needed to serve justice for all in Sri Lanka - Callum Macrae

Mar 14, 2015
The United Nations Human Rights Council will have to act on the investigation into Sri Lanka’s atrocities (OISL), moving to establish an international judicial mechanism in order to ensure justice is served to all communities, said the director of the documentary, No Fire Zone, Callum Macrae.

In a press release, issued after the new Sri Lankan president rejected cooperation with the OISL and pledged to set up a domestic investigative process, Callum Macrae said: “He says this domestic inquiry will be conducted ‘efficiently, in a balanced, legal and impartial manner’, but when asked about the allegations in No Fire Zone he said he ‘doesn’t believe’ them.”

“President Sirisena, like President Rajapaksa before him, has refused to let the OISL investigators in to Sri Lanka. So we are back to square one and when the OISL report is presented in September the UN Human Rights Council will have to act on that report and move to set up some form of international judicial mechanism which can ensure that justice is done for all the communities of Sri Lanka.”

No credible steps taken to repeal arbitrary detention laws in Sri Lanka - Ruki Fernando

Mar 14, 2015
No credible steps have been taken by the new government in Sri Lanka to repeal draconian anti-terror laws that allow for the arbitrary arrest of Human Rights defenders, said the previously detained Sri Lankan human rights activist, Ruki Fernando, whilst speaking on the release of enforced disappearances campaigner Jeyakumari Balendran.

Addressing an event hosted by Forum Asia on creating space for human rights defenders at the 28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, Mr Fernando said: “The international community must not be deceived by token releases. In Sri Lanka there is a Structural problem that allows for the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders. This is the prevention for terror act.”

Freedom from fear essential for reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN rapporteur

Mar 14, 2015
Photograph:Tamil Guardian

Sri Lanka’s government must create “open space” for reconciliation said the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief on Thursday.

“Freedom from fear is the most elementary part in allowing for freedom for religion and expression in a situation like Sri Lanka, said Heiner Bielefeldt.

Communal violence in a climate of impunity occurs in Sri Lanka in the name of Buddhism, as Buddhists seem to have an unjustified fear leading to hate speech the rapporteur added. 

Sri Lanka's cabinet approves 19th amendment draft bill
Dismembered human remains found in Vadamaradchi
Tamils demonstrate outside UNHRC calling for investigation into genocide by Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu protestors demand UN release report on Sri Lanka's mass atrocities
NFF walked out of Modi's speech to protest against 13A
Valalai people visit HSZ to find their homes and wells destroyed
International judicial mechanism needed to serve justice for all in Sri Lanka - Callum Macrae
No credible steps taken to repeal arbitrary detention laws in Sri Lanka - Ruki Fernando
Freedom from fear essential for reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN rapporteur
Sri Lankans find international investigation into atrocities insulting - CBK
Sri Lanka's cabinet approves 19th amendment draft bill
Dismembered human remains found in Vadamaradchi
Tamils demonstrate outside UNHRC calling for investigation into genocide by Sri Lanka
Tamil Nadu protestors demand UN release report on Sri Lanka's mass atrocities
NFF walked out of Modi's speech to protest against 13A
Valalai people visit HSZ to find their homes and wells destroyed
International judicial mechanism needed to serve justice for all in Sri Lanka - Callum Macrae
No credible steps taken to repeal arbitrary detention laws in Sri Lanka - Ruki Fernando
Freedom from fear essential for reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN rapporteur
Sri Lankans find international investigation into atrocities insulting - CBK