Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka’s military continued to entrench its presence in Tamil civilian life, using tourism, religious festivals, humanitarian aid, and donations to schools to advance Sinhalisation and sustain military occupation across the Tamil homeland. Batticaloa Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan army Major General A.H.L.G Amarapala, also Chairman of the Board of Management of the Laya Hotels…

President of Indonesia meets TNA leader

The President of Indonesia met with the leader of the Tamil National Alliance on Wednesday.

TNA candidate says he was threatened by EPDP supporters

A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) candidate for the upcoming local government elections filed a complaint with the Election Commission today alleging he was threatened by EPDP supporters. 

Mr M Uthayasiri told the Commision he was stopped by 10 supporters of the paramilitary group whilst he was riding his motorbike in Jaffna, before he was forced into a building and threatened. 

He was rescued by police officers who were called to the scene. 

Mr Uthayasiri was critical of the police however, highlighting their failure to arrest those who abducted him. 
 

Sri Lankan navy arrest 8 Indian fishermen

Eight Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan navy personnel on Wednesday for allegedly poaching in the island's waters. 

The men were brought to the navy base in Kankesanthurai before being handed over to the assistant fisheries director of Jaffna. 

Their fishing trawlers were taken to the navy base in Karainagar. 

Navy intelligence officers threaten Tamils protesting against land grabs in Kayts

Residents in Kayts protesting on Thursday against the ongoing occupation of private land by the Sri Lankan navy were threatened by the navy's intelligence officers warning them to stop the protest. 

Jaffna ITAK candidate arrested for online slander of women's affairs minister

An ITAK local government candidate was arrested on Wednesday for slandering the Northern Province’s women’s affairs minister on Facebook.

Arutkumar John Jabrigo who is running for the Manippay divisional council (prathesiya sabai) with ITAK was arrested by Manippay police for publishing libellous posts about the women’s minister, Ananthy Sasitharan.

Singapore Prime Minister meets TNA leader

The Prime Minister of Singapore met with the leader of the Tamil National Alliance and discussed proposals for a new constitution as well as the possibility of Singaporean investments in the North-East.

Sri Lanka needs to deliver on important reforms - EU report

The European Commission this month called on the Sri Lankan government to deliver on important reforms, expressing concerns over the failure to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, ongoing reports of routine torture, impunity, hate speech, military occupation of land and the difficulties faced by minorities. 

Girl killed by Sri Lankan navy vehicle in Pungudutivu

A nine year old girl was killed in Pungudutivu this week by a Sri Lankan navy vehicle following a collision near the local school. 

The victim, Kesana Thirulangam was killed at the scene. Her uncle, whose motorcycle she was travelling on to school, has been admitted to hospital with serious injuries. 

The military vehicle involved in the accident was carrying food to the nearby navy base. 

Police officers have been deployed to the area after residents expressed anger at the navy's presence in the region. 

Women Action Network condemns attacks on female candidates

The Women Action Network on Wednesday condemned the physical attacks and verbal harassment of female candidates in the run up to Sri Lanka's local government elections.

Elderly Tamil woman found dead in home in Jaffna, murder and robbery suspected

An elderly Tamil woman was found dead in her home in Jaffna with several assault wounds on Sunday.

The victim whose body was found at the home in Aanaikottai, Jaffna has been identified as 72-year-old Jeganathan Sathiyabama.

Mrs Sathiyabama who was immobile spent most of her time home alone and was cared for in the evenings by a relative, neighbours said.

Her body was discovered by the relative when he went to her in the evening on Sunday.

The jewellery she usually wore was missing, relatives said.

Police are investigating.