Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Thirteen more skeletal remains were exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave on Monday and a further seven newly identified, bringing the total identified at the site to 412, of which 390 have now been exhumed, as the excavation, the largest at any mass grave on the island, entered its 31st day. Monday, the 31st day of the third phase of the court-supervised process, saw three sets of remains…

Tree planting tribute held in Vavuniya for actor Vivek

A tree planting ceremony was held in Vavuniya last week in tribute to legendary Tamil actor and comedian Vivek.

Sri Lankan police arrest three Tamils over alleged drug possession

 

Three Tamil men were arrested in Mannar last Sunday over the alleged possession of cannabis worth ten million rupees. 

Tamil youth arrested over photo of LTTE leader on phone

A Tamil youth was arrested in Kopay, Jaffna earlier this month for having a photo of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on his smartphone. 

Kopay police filed a B report against the youth on charges of "inciting or attempting to incite hatred" under Section 120 of the Sri Lankan Penal Code.  The Jaffna Magistrate Court conducted a case hearing the following day where the arrested youth was produced before the court. 

The youth was  reportedly arrested after the police were alerted about the alleged photograph on his phone. 

Sri Lanka arrests Bathiudeen brothers over Easter Sunday attacks

MP Rishad Bathiudeen

Former Sri Lankan minister and leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Rishad Bathiudeen MP and his brother Riyaz Bathiudeen were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department early this morning, in connection to the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019.

Government Minister denies religious motivation behind banning Islamic organisations

Sri Lanka’s government, Mass Media Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella has denied that the government’s decision to proscribe 11 Islamic organisations was intended to ban any religious or political organisation. Instead, he claims it was due to concerns over “national security and inter-communal harmony”.

Japan looks to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka despite human rights concerns

Addressing a meeting held by the Sri Lanka-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association, Japan’s ambassador to Sri Lanka, Sugiyama Akira, expressed Japan's interest to broaden the scope of our bilateral relations over the coming years despite concerns over Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

Replacement Mullivaikkal memorial unveiled at Jaffna University

The replacement Mullivaikkal memorial was unveiled this morning at the University of Jaffna, after it was destroyed by Sri Lankan authorities earlier this year. 

Memorial erected in Batticaloa for victims of Easter Sunday attacks  

A memorial monument has been constructed in memory of the 31 people who perished in an attack on Zion Church in Batticaloa on Easter Sunday two years ago. 

Tamil Refugee Council condemns Australia for donating surveillance weapons to Sri Lanka despite human rights concerns

The Australian government has supplied five aerial drones to the Sri Lankan police, despite international scrutiny at the United Nations Human Rights Council for its domestic “assault on justice.”

‘If Indian fishermen enter our waters, we will arrest them’ - Sri Lanka's Fishery Minister

Sri Lanka’s Fishery Minister, and leader of the pro-government paramilitary Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas Devananda has maintained that the only solution to fishery disputes will be the continued detention of Indian fishermen.