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…

New Sri Lanka govt needs to do actions not just words says NPC minister

Feb 9, 2015
The Northern Provincial Councillor, P. Aingaranesan criticised the new Sri Lankan government's failure to prioritise the issue of missing Tamil civilians and enforced disappearances, stating that the new government must its commitment to reconciliation "in actions, not just in words".

“The Tamil people thought the new regime assumed power claiming to make a change will bring change in their lives too. It in on the basis of that belief, they defeated the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa using their votes," Mr Aingaranesan told the Uthayan newspaper on Monday, adding that the new government should act honourably. 

“The whereabouts of the thousands of Tamil women and men arrested by the army is still unknown; including several hundreds of people were kidnapped by unidentified persons and disappeared; many, who are [LTTE] cadres, surrendered to the army at the end of the armed conflict; and those who were handed over to the army by their relatives. The new government should provide an answer to their relatives that are waiting every day for their return," he added.

UN must stay involved to ensure independent investigation into Sri Lanka’s atrocities - NYT

Feb 9, 2015
The best way to guarantee an independent investigation in to war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka whilst protecting witnesses is to keep the United Nations involved, said the New York Times Editorial Board on Tuesday.

Noting the new Sirisena government’s obligation to deal with the ‘legacy of the past’ and commenting on Sri Lankan government attempts to delay the release of the UN report into Sri Lankan atrocities,  the editorial stressed, “Any delay in the release of the United Nations report must be brief. And the United Nations must remain involved.”

30y old Tamil man found dead in Amparai

Feb 9, 2015
The body of a Tamil man was found inside his house in Mahasakthi village in Amparai on Tuesday, reports BattiNews.

The man has been identified by the police as a 30 year old father of two children, Thangavelu Rajenthira.

His body has been transferred to hospital for a post-mortem. Akkaraipattu police are reportedly investigating the incident.

TNA MP calls for internationally mediated political solution for Tamils

Feb 9, 2015

We do not expect Sri Lanka to conduct credible investigation – HRW

Feb 8, 2015

Human Rights Watch’s Asia Director Brad Adams said last week the New York-based organisation does not expect Sri Lanka to conduct a credible investigation into mass atrocities committed during the armed conflict.

Speaking to IPS ahead of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s visit to the US this week, where he will meet with US officials and representatives of HRW, Mr Adams said the UN should continue to be central to the current process.

“We do not expect the government to conduct a serious investigation,” he said when asked about the government’s proposed domestic investigation, pointing out former army commander Sarath Fonseka’s presence in the government would politicise a domestic probe.

“The United Nations should continue to be at the centre of the current process,” he said, but complimented the new government for reaching out to HRW. “We are very encouraged and we are happy to meet with the foreign minister.”

Tamils across North-East Sri Lanka demand release of disappeared in new wave of protests

Feb 8, 2015

Hundreds of Tamils protested across the North-East demanding the new government to release and reveal the whereabouts of their detained and disappeared, whilst calling for an international probe into the whereabouts of the disappeared.

Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka

Feb 8, 2015

The 33rd naval fleet of Iran's navy, docked in Colombo on Monday, where it will be conducting a three day visit.

Senior Sri Lankan navy officials are scheduled to meet with the Iranian naval personnel onboard during their stay.

Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers

Feb 8, 2015
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka called on the new president, Maithripala Sirisena to withdraw his renewal of powers allowing the military to maintain public order.

Last week President Sirisena, renewed an Extraordinary Gazette notification which called on the military to ensure security and law and order within the island if the police could not.

The Bar Association said there was "no lawful justification to maintain the order", reports Colombo Page.

Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC

Feb 8, 2015
Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera, embarked on a visit of key state capitals ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's 28th session, which is due to begin next month.

Mr Samaraweera, who left Sri Lanka on Sunday for the UK, is scheduled to arrive in the US later this week where he is to meet with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

He is also due to visit China later this month, the foreign affairs ministry said.

I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya

Feb 8, 2015
The former Sri Lankan defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he does not fear retribution by the new government for his role in the allegations of the mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people, stating that the people of Sri Lanka still appreciated the former regime's actions.

Asked if he feared retribution by the new regime in Sri Lanka or even a witch hunt by Western nations now that he was no longer in power, Mr Gotabaya told an Indian journalist this week:
"I do not fear any retribution from any quarter or Western witch hunts. We knew the risks involved when we took on the LTTE despite resistance from interested nations. We fought terrorism to a finish because that was our duty by our nation. The people of Sri Lanka still appreciate the sacrifices we made and the risks we took."

UN must stay involved to ensure independent investigation into Sri Lanka’s atrocities - NYT
30y old Tamil man found dead in Amparai
TNA MP calls for internationally mediated political solution for Tamils
We do not expect Sri Lanka to conduct credible investigation – HRW
Tamils across North-East Sri Lanka demand release of disappeared in new wave of protests
Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers
Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC
I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission
UN must stay involved to ensure independent investigation into Sri Lanka’s atrocities - NYT
30y old Tamil man found dead in Amparai
TNA MP calls for internationally mediated political solution for Tamils
We do not expect Sri Lanka to conduct credible investigation – HRW
Tamils across North-East Sri Lanka demand release of disappeared in new wave of protests
Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers
Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC
I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission