Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The Bar Association of Jaffna has issued a firm rebuke of Sri Lanka’s notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), calling not only for its immediate repeal but also rejecting any efforts to repackage repressive legislation under a different guise. This decision comes in response to a public call for comments issued by Sri Lanka's Ministry of Justice, following the government's announcement of…

New Sri Lanka Navy landgrab in Kayts to build security post

Plans to build a Sri Lanka Navy security and watch post in Kayts has resulted in landgrabs of Tamil-owned private land in the area.

The owner of land in Paruthiyadaippu received a letter from the district survey office saying that his land would be surveyed for appropriation on the 25th, despite the owner having objected to his land being seized.

Singapore PM and Indonesia President to visit Sri Lanka next week

The Prime Minister of Singapore and the President of Indonesia are scheduled to make separate state visits to Sri Lanka next week.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Singaporean Premier, Lee Hsien Loong, will sign a Free Trade Agreement, reports dailynews.lk.

No political discussions during election time - Sri Lanka Election Commission changes venue from Jaffna Uni

A discussion set to take place at Jaffna University on the proposed new constitution for Sri Lanka was banned by the Election Commission on the grounds that it would disadvantage certain political parties while benefiting others at the upcoming local government elections.

The Tamil People’s Council, an organisation led by the Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, was set to hold a discussion on the interim report of the constitutional assembly at the university on Tuesday.

In a letter to the university’s Vice Chancellor, the Election Commission said it had received a complaint that the event would strengthen some political parties or weaken others.

TULF local government candidate's home attacked in Mannar

A local government candidate for the TULF in Mannar said his home was attacked by unknown individuals who surrounded his house, threw rocks, lit firecrackers and pasted ITAK posters on his walls.

The candidate, Soosai Santhan, of Aadkaddiveli in Manthai West, said he telephoned the police several times while the attack was taking place but officers failed to turn up.

He filed a complaint on Sunday, the following day, with Adampan police.

Tamil woman sentenced over alleged involvement in Kollupitiya bomb

A Tamil woman, who was arrested and remanded in custody for 14 years over her alleged involvement in a LTTE bomb attack on Kollupitiya police station, was sentenced today for two years imprisonment suspended for 15 years. 

The sentencing of Selvakumari Sathyaleela was delivered by the High Court judge Vikum Kaluarachchi. 

Four Sri Lankan police officers were killed on 07 July 2004 when the Black Tiger, 26 year old Jayarani Thiyagarajah detonated a bomb strapped to her inside the police station. 

Corruption investigation should not cause unity government to fail says Sumanthiran

The TNA MP and party spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran on Sunday stressed the unity government was essential if the constitution making process was to proceed. 

His comments, which were made to reporters following a Thai Pongal celebration at the party office in Colombo, echoed that of TNA leader Mr Sampanthan. 

Mr Sumanthiran added that investigations in corruption should not cause the unity government to end. 

Over 40K war displaced yet to go home in Sri Lanka - JDS

Over 40,000 people in the North-East displaced by the armed conflict remain displaced over eight years on, Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka reported on Tuesday. 

"During its three year period in office the government has resettled only 3,996 people," JDS noted. 

"The ministry of resettlement and rehabilitation says that 40,938 members of 12,674 internally displaced families have not been resettled by the end of October 2017."

Read more here

Sri Lankan navy arrests 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen, confiscates 4 trawlers

Sri Lankan navy personnel arrested 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen and pounded four fishing trawlers on Monday for allegedly poaching in the island's waters. 

Pakistan Army Chief visiting Sri Lanka

The Pakistani Army Chief is visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Sri Lankan Army Commander.

According to FT.lk, the chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa will also call on the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister to “discuss issues of regional security and matters of mutual interest.”

Sri Lanka President says he spent the last three years winning over the international community

The Sri Lankan President told his supporters that he has spent the last three years of his tenure winning over the international community, according to dailynews.lk.

"The international community kept faith in me and 193 countries of the United Nations are good friends of Sri Lanka," President Maithripala Sirisena told supporters at an election rally in Hambantota.