Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Marking the 16th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Pheonix held a screening of the documentary, “No Fire Zone”, and a panel discussion at the Kurdish Community Centre. The panel’s speakers included Dr. Thusiyan Nandakumar, Dr Mathura Rasaratnam & Dr Andy Higginbottom.   Inspiration for activism Asked by the Chair about their inspiration for political activism, Nandakumar…

Black July victims remembered in Batticaloa by TNPF

The victims of Black July, the anti-Tamil pogroms of 1983, were remembered in Batticaloa.

The commemoration was held by the Tamil National People’s Front at the party’s Batticaloa office on Monday night.

Remand extended for Sri Lankan navy officers accused of abducting 11 Tamil youths

Two Sri Lankan navy officers who have been accused of the enforced disappearance and murder of 11 Tamil youths in 2008 today had their remand extended until July 31. 

The two men were form navy intelligence members, who along with other suspects are accused of removing the 11 bodies from a navy camp in Trincomalee. 

The former navy media spokesperson, Commodore DKP Dassanayake is also one of the accused. 

Moody's affirms Sri Lanka's B1 rating, maintains negative outlook

Moody's Investors Service affirmed the B1 rating of three Sri Lankan banks, the Bank of Ceylon (BOC), Hatton National Bank Ltd. (HNB) and Sampath Bank PLC, whilst maintaining the negative outlook, citing continued external vulnerability risk. 

Sri Lankan cricketer questioned over rape of Norwegian tourist

A Sri Lankan cricket player has been questioned by police over the rape of a Norwegian tourist in a Colombo hotel room this weekend.

Danushka Gunathilaka, Sri Lanka’s 27-year-old opening batsman, has been questioned over the incident after his friend was arrested for sexual assault. It is alleged that the woman was raped by his friend at the Movenpick hotel on Saturday night, whilst Mr Gunathilaka was in the room.

Militarisation: Sri Lankan army holds ceremony at Tamil primary school

The Sri Lankan military announced that it had held a ceremony at a primary school in Mullaitivu earlier this year, as the army continued its much criticised involvement in civil life in the North-East.

Sri Lankan president claims US General praised army’s 'reconciliation efforts'

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena met with the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific Command this week, where the two discussed the Sri Lankan military’s role in the island.

Black July marked in Strasbourg

Dozens of Tails gathered in Strasbourg this week, to mark 35 years since the Black July pogrom which killed thousands of Tamils.

Remnants of a skeleton dug up at Chemmani

Work took place in Chemmani at an excavation site where human bones were discovered last week.

Police recovered remnants of a skeleton including parts of a skull and a leg, although further digging did not produce the rest of the remains.

Sampanthan joins Rajapaksa and Gota to mark founding of PLA

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), R Sampanthan was seen marking the founding of China's People's Liberation Army with the former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa and the former defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at an event held in Colombo. 

Militarisation: soldiers hold prayer for their medals at Trincomalee temple

The Sri Lankan military entered the historic Pankulam Pillaiyar temple in Trincomalee yesterday to hold a special prayer for their military badges and medals. 

Hoisting the military regiment's flag, the soldiers brought their badges and medals on trays to be blessed. 

"Look how they are stealthily taking over even our temple," one Tamil worshipper said.