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Latest news from and about the homeland

The arithmetic of a grave
This week, the number of skeletal remains uncovered at Chemmani reached a stark record of 387. With that figure, a patch of earth on the edge of Jaffna town became the largest mass grave ever uncovered on the island, surpassing the 376 remains recovered at Mannar. Recent days alone have seen the bodies of several children exhumed, alongside beads and bangles. These are the contents of the…

Access to TNA office blocked by army

May 17, 2014

10:29 BST

Armed troops have blocked roads leading up to the TNA office on Martin Road in Jaffna around 1pm local time.

People attempting to enter the office were turned away by soldiers, a source within the TNA, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tamil Guardian.


Sri Lankan president hails reclamation of land at 'Victory Day' celebrations

May 17, 2014
The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, celebrated the reclamation of Sri Lankan land at a military 'Victory Day' parade in the southern town of Matara today.

The Sri Lankan government today held ‘Victory Day’ celebrations  with a parade of 3,734 army, 1,189 navy, 1,100 air-force, 643 police and 578 civil defence personnel walked through the southern town of Matara, reports Colombo Page.

Bus travelling to Jaffna attacked by Sinhalese mob

May 17, 2014
A bus, taking people from the eastern district of Ampara to Jaffna, was attacked by a Sinhalese mob yesterday evening reports the Uthayan.

A group of 25 Sinhalese attacked the passengers travelling to Jaffna, after surrounding the bus when it stopped for service. One passenger was severely injured, whilst others had minor injuries reported the Uthayan.

Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army

May 17, 2014
The military has blocked off access to the blood donation centre at Jaffna teaching hospital in an attempt to stop people from donating blood as an act of remembrance for those that died in Mullivaikkal in 2009, the Uthayan, reported.

Earlier this month, students at the University of Jaffna, which was ordered closed around the time of May 18, donated blood in the memory of the dead.


Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna

May 17, 2014
11:25 BST

Armed troops have surrounded the Jaffna office of the Thinakkural newspaper, one of the paper's journalists tweeted within the past hour.

The incident comes amidst heavy military presence outside the Uthayan newspaper's office earlier today, with over 50 armed soldiers surrounding the building.

 

Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa

May 17, 2014
Photo: uthayan

A Mullivaikal remembrance event for those that died was carried out amidst military intimidation in the TNA’s office in Batticaloa, reports Uthayan.

Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai

May 17, 2014

The Sri Lankan military has restricted access to Keerimalai, blocking Tamils from entering the town on the Jaffna peninsula, famous for its temple.

Events to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of Mullivaikkal at the temple were cancelled as the army blocked all main roads leading to the town, reported GTN.

Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran

May 17, 2014
Tamils Against Genocide (TAG)
Illustration Keera Ratnam


The following account written by Paul M.M. Cooper is based on survivor interviews to Tamils Against Genocide (TAG). Personal details of Ainkaran (not his real name), place names and dates have been changed to protect his identity.

Ainkaran volunteered in a hospital in the contested North East of Sri Lanka when the government began its final offensive on the Tamil separatists. It was 2009, and the outlook was grim for the LTTE. The cadres had set up fortified settlements far behind the frontline in order to escape the artillery of the Sri Lankan Army, but there were some shells, with a range of 3-5km, that could still reach even these safe havens.

Mullivaikal remembered in Kilinochchi amidst military surveillance

May 17, 2014

Banner reads: "Always with tearful memories, dreams should be realised". Photograph Global Tamil News

TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide

May 17, 2014
TNPF General Secretary S. Kajendran lights candle of remembrance

Mullivaikal was remembered by the TNPF in an undisclosed location today after Sri Lankan military troops surrounded the party office, and prevented people from entering a planned remembrance event, to commemorate those that died at the final stages of the armed conflict.  
Sri Lankan president hails reclamation of land at 'Victory Day' celebrations
Bus travelling to Jaffna attacked by Sinhalese mob
Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army
Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna
Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai
Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran
Mullivaikal remembered in Kilinochchi amidst military surveillance
TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide
TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban
Sri Lankan president hails reclamation of land at 'Victory Day' celebrations
Bus travelling to Jaffna attacked by Sinhalese mob
Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army
Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna
Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai
Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran
Mullivaikal remembered in Kilinochchi amidst military surveillance
TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide
TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban