Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, met with Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in Islamabad this week on the sidelines of the 5th Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue, the Sri Lankan government announced. The meeting took place on Tuesday 29 April, the second day of the three-day dialogue, which aims to enhance defence cooperation…

Chinese firm to develop Colombo port amid sweeteners for Hambantota

Sri Lanka has signed a 35 year build-operate-transfer deal with a joint venture between a Chinese state-run firm (which owns 55%) and a local partner.

The deal was signed during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to China last week.

TYO-UK remembers 5th anniversary of Sencholai bombings

TYO-UK remembers the 5th anniversary of the attack on Sencholai orphanage and the children who lost their lives in the air raid.

On the 14th of August 2006, sixteen bombs were dropped by Sri Lankan Air Force jets killing 53 female students and injuring many more. The students had been attending a first aid course in an orphanage. Only a short-while before the bombings, the coordinates of the orphanage had been given to the ICRC who in turn had informed the Sri Lankan state.

What we said five years ago …

Extracts from our editorial of August 23, 2006 (see full text here):

India’s opposition parties unite behind Eelam Tamils

With India’s opposition parties, including the BJP and CPI(M), now united in demanding justice and autonomy for Eelam Tamils, the ruling Congress party’s continued silence is striking.

Adding to demands for India to take a tougher, more decisive role in on Sri Lanka's war crimes and genocide, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha pledged his party’s commitment to Eelam Tamils and determination to ensure justice is done.

Speaking at a protest rally organised by MDMK chief Vaiko in New Delhi, Sinha mocked the Congress government for cowering before China for fear of losing regional influence.

This shows mere helplessness that we have lost all our clout and friends and that we have to surrender ourselves to China. It is a matter of shame for our country and it is [a] matter of great shame for the government” said Sinha.

His remarks echo those of fellow BJP senior member Jaswant Singh, who asked if India's geopolitical concerns justified inaction over Sri Lanka's warcrimes, said:

I am always extremely chary of this catchall phrase, ‘geopolitical’. I tend to be very suspicious about the use this phrase because it is a coverall phrase which can mean anything and everything.

I don’t think a great country like India can determine its policies and practice its policies in apprehension of the activities of any other country.

See here for CPI’s call for autonomy.

Boycotts and Sri Lanka's ire

Realisation that economic sanctions and international isolation will be needed to compell the recalcitrant Sri Lankan regime to ensure an independent, international investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity is growing.

Angry locals attack police in east

Angry mobs attacked police stations in Valaichennai, Samanthurai and Potuvil in Sri Lanka’s east on Thursday and Friday respectively, ColomboPage reported.

See reports here and here.

Predominantly, Valaichennai is inhabitated by Tamils, Samanthurai and Potuvil by Muslims.

"If there is to be peace, there must be justice"

Comments by Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada. For full text click here.

Trends in China - Sri Lanka ties

From a recent Reuters’ fact-box (see full text here), with added details from the BBC and others:

Trade

In the first half of 2011, trade between China and Sri Lanka was worth $1.28 billion - but Sri Lankan exports to China were worth just $68 million.

Lending

Oman Tribune editorial on Sri Lanka’s killing fields

“As evidence of the Sri Lankan army’s mass killings mounts, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s charm offensive is proving to be a futile exercise. It’s time the president and his younger brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa stopped seeking solace in a deliberate state of denial and realised that they can no more cover up the horrendous crimes committed against innocents on their orders.