Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lankan minister’s driver assaults Tamil fisherman during visit
A fisherman in Keppapulavu, Mullaitivu, was assaulted during a visit by Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister, Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, as tensions flared during the Minister’s local government election campaign on 24 April. Chandrasekaran, who was touring the North-East with National People’s Power (NPP) candidates, visited Keppapulavu where he met with representatives of the Keppapulavu Fishermen…

EU development strategy aims at ‘implementation of UNHRC Resolution’

Jun 5, 2016

The European Union is revising its development strategy for Sri Lanka, in order to assist with the implementation of a UN resolution that calls for trials with foreign judges to prosecute those accused of committing mass atrocities.

A statement released following the conclusion of the meeting of the Working Group on Cooperation between the European Union and Sri Lanka last week said the two have “enjoyed diplomatic ties that span more than 40 years”.

Pon Sivakumaran remembered by Tamil politicians in North-East

Jun 5, 2016
Tamil parliamentarians, politicians and civil society gathered to mark the 42nd anniversary of his death on Sunday.
 
 
Speaking at an event held by a statue erected to remember Sivakaumaran,Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian D Siddhartan said Sivakumaran was a pure fighter who fought to secure the legitimate rights of the Tamil people.
 
Also present at the event were former TNA parliamentarian Suresh Oremachandran, Northern Provincial Councillors Ananthy Sasitharan and MK Sivajalingam and the Northern Provincial Council opposition leader S Thavarasa.
 
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Jaya sends second letter to Modi after another 4 fishermen arrested

Jun 4, 2016
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalitha on Saturday sent another letter to the prime minister, Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure the release of Indian fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan navy.

Following the arrest of a further four fishermen on Thursday, Ms Jayalalitha wrote, "I am constrained to point out that despite my repeated requests, the seized boats and gear belonging to the fishermen of Tamil Nadu have not been released by the Sri Lankan authorities so far."

"May I request your immediate intervention in this matter,?" she added.

Two arrested over Sri Lankan journalist attack

Jun 4, 2016
Police arrested two men on Saturday on suspicion of attacking the Sri Lankan web journalist Freddy Gamage, the Colombo Page reported.

The arrest came only 48 hours after the attack against Mr Gamage on Thursday, during which time Sinhala media and civil society organisations held a protest calling for action over the attack.

Condemning the attack, the New York based media rights group, Committee to Protect Journalists had also urged the authorities to hold those responsible to account.

Protests after military attack on forest conservation officials in Batticaloa

Jun 4, 2016
Tamil officials from the Forest Conservation department and local civil society in Batticaloa staged a protest after being attacked by two Sinhala military personnel.
Photographs: Tamil Guardian

Tamil school opens buildings in High Security Zone amidst military surveillance

Jun 3, 2016
The Jaffna Nadeswara College and School reopened their buildings in the High Security Zone amidst the surveillance of army intelligence and police, on Thursday.
Photographs: Tamil Guardian

People from the army intelligence team photographed and videoed guests, students and well wishers who attended the school’s inaugural event.

The educational buildings have remained in the High Security Zone for 26 years, and have been opened whilst the High Security Zone fencing and military presence remains surrounding the area.

Speaking at the event Northern Provincial Councillor M.K.Sivajilingam said there should be a conducive environment created for the students and teachers to carry out their academic activities without any hindrance, adding that the “military should take steps to release the rest of the nearby lands to ease the environment.”

Mr Sivajalingam called for the security check points at the school entrance to be removed for easy access with adequate transport facilities for the students and staff to access school. The road that leads from the school to the local railway station is currently barred from civilian use.

$1.5 billion IMF loan approved for Sri Lanka

Jun 3, 2016
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Saturday approved the three year $1.5 billion loan to Sri Lanka.

The loan is armed at averting the balance of payments crisis and supporting the economic reform agenda agreed with the IMF.

The decision by the IMF's executive board will allow an immediate amount of US $ 168.1 million, followed by six further installments, depending on quarterly reviews.

“A return to fiscal consolidation, targeting a reduction in the overall fiscal deficit to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2020, is the linchpin of the reform program," the deputing managing director and acting chair, Min Zhu said in a statement.

"Rebuilding tax revenues through a comprehensive reform of both tax policy and administration will be key in this regard, supplemented by steps toward more effective control over expenditures and putting state enterprise operations on a more commercial footing."

Sri Lankan police arrest two Tamils over LTTE caps

Jun 3, 2016
Sri Lankan police have arrested two Tamil men for allegedly being in possession of caps bearing the LTTE insignia, the Daily News reported.

According to the news site the men from Vavuniya, Mahadevan and Devadasan, were sending the caps abroad. The parcel was intercepted however, after Sri Lankan authorities determined the "from" address was "suspicious".

Terrorism Investigation Division officers arrested the two Tamils on Wednesday near the post office in Vavuniya.

The court has remanded them in custody till June 15th.

Singapore considers Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka

Jun 3, 2016
Singapore is considering the creation of a Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) announced Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) reports Channel News Asia.

Speaking during a 3 day visit to Sri Lanka last week, Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran, suggested that a decision would be made soon, adding,

Jaffna Press Club remembers murdered Tamil journalist

Jun 2, 2016


Journalists in Jaffna marked the 12 year anniversary of the assassination of journalist Ayuthurai Nadesan who was killed in Batticaloa in 2004.

Members of the Jaffna Press Club laid flowers before a memorial statue for murdered journalists in honour of their murdered colleague.

Pon Sivakumaran remembered by Tamil politicians in North-East
Jaya sends second letter to Modi after another 4 fishermen arrested
Two arrested over Sri Lankan journalist attack
Protests after military attack on forest conservation officials in Batticaloa
Tamil school opens buildings in High Security Zone amidst military surveillance
$1.5 billion IMF loan approved for Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan police arrest two Tamils over LTTE caps
Singapore considers Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka
Jaffna Press Club remembers murdered Tamil journalist
Army constructs permanent structures near hospital in Jaffna
Pon Sivakumaran remembered by Tamil politicians in North-East
Jaya sends second letter to Modi after another 4 fishermen arrested
Two arrested over Sri Lankan journalist attack
Protests after military attack on forest conservation officials in Batticaloa
Tamil school opens buildings in High Security Zone amidst military surveillance
$1.5 billion IMF loan approved for Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan police arrest two Tamils over LTTE caps
Singapore considers Free Trade Agreement with Sri Lanka
Jaffna Press Club remembers murdered Tamil journalist
Army constructs permanent structures near hospital in Jaffna