Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamils in Belgium commemorated the tens of thousands of Tamils that were slaughtered by the Sri Lankan military in the 2009 genocide.  On May 18, Tamils gathered outside the Operaplein in Antwerp, and laid flowers in memory of those who perished in Mullivaikkal. Remembrance events took place in the Tamil homeland and across the diaspora to mark the day.     …

Destroyed Thileepan memorial barrier restored

Jaffna's Municipal Council has restored the barrier which used to surround the memorial built for the Lt Col. Thileepan in Nallur, Jaffna. 

The Sri Lankan army previously destroyed the barrier, which was built to protect the monument from damage. 

Following this locals reported that the site was poorly maintained and frequently used with little care by traders at Nallur temple festivals.

TNPF member within the Council, V Parthipan was instrumental in advocating for the barrier to be replaced before this year's Nallur festival on August 16. 

Motorbike set alight in Valikaamam East

A motorbike was set alight by unknown persons in Vatharavaththai, Valikaamam East. 

The motorbike's owner said her family had experienced ongoing harassment by unknown individuals following their support for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the last local election. 

A complaint has been filed with the police. 

Protest against illegal Sinhala fishing continues in Mullaitivu

A protests by fishermen in Mullaitivu against illegal fishing by Sinhala fishermen continued today into their 8th day. 

The fishermen have been supported by the families as well as Karaithuraipattu local council members who attended the protest to express their solidarity. 

Court allows arrested students to sit A-levels

Three students who were among 11 Tamil youths arrested by Sri Lankan police for allegedly being involved in sword attacks and gang violence, where allowed to sit their A Levels by Mallaakam Magistrate Court yesterday. 

The youths, who were arrested on August 4, will be allowed to sit the exam under the supervision of the prison officers.  

The issue of their A Levels was brought to the attention of the court by lawyers for the students, who maintained their clients were innocent and should be allowed to sit their exams. 

Militarisation: Sri Lankan army renovates Tamil pre-school in Mullivaikkal

The Sri Lankan military continued its militarisation of the North-East, announcing that it had built a Tamil pre-school in Mullivaikkal earlier this year.

Petition launched to recall British MP who lobbied for Sri Lanka

A petition has been launched to unseat DUP MP Ian Paisley after he was suspended from the British parliament for failing to declare two holidays that were paid for by the Sri Lankan government and later lobbying on the country's behalf against an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The parliamentary recall petition, the first one launched since such legislation was introduced, sees Mr Paisley at risk of a possible by-election in his constituency seat of North Antrim in Northern Ireland.

Tamil families of the disappeared say OMP is ‘exercise in futility’

Tamil families of the disappeared met with Switzerland's Federal Councillor for the Department of Justice and Police and criticised the Sri Lankan government’s Office on Missing Persons (OMP) as an “exercise in futility”, demanding “action, not words”.

In a letter handed to the Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga, the protesting families said they had “travelled across the country to every military camp, every government prison, every police station” to search for the whereabouts of their disappeared loved ones.

At least eight of the campaigners have died since roadside protests began over 500 days ago.

Northern Provincial Council pays tribute to Karunanidhi

The Northern Provincial Council held a moment of silence this morning, to pay tribute to DMK leader M Karunanidhi who passed away earlier this week.

Mullaitivu security forces claim four murder suspects escaped police custody

Sri Lankan security forces have claimed that four detainees of Vavuniya prison escaped police custody while being transferred to Mullaitivu Magistrates Court for trial on Tuesday.

Mullaitivu Security Forces said the detainees had been arrested regarding two murder cases in the area, Adaderana reports.

Prison officers and police reportedly launched a special operation in the area on Tuesday evening and investigations continue.

Sri Lanka to study possibility of constructing domestic airport in Kandy

The Sri Lankan government will conduct a feasibility study into the possibility of constructing an airport in Kandy in order to increase tourism in the area.

The cabinet approved proposals for the study on Wednesday.

The airport would be for domestic services to increase the number of foreign tourists visiting the district.