Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Namal Rajapaksa, parliamentarian and son of accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, has called on the Sri Lankan government to summon the Canadian High Commissioner to formally protest the unveiling of a Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, Canada, claiming it promotes a “false genocide narrative” and “distorts history.” In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Rajapaksa accused the…

3,400 year old human remains discovered in Velanai, Jaffna

In a remarkable archaeological revelation, human remains dating back approximately 3400 years have been uncovered in the Velanai area of Jaffna, a discovery that stands as a testament to one of the oldest prehistoric human civilizations on the island.

‘I am extremely happy’ with Sri Lanka’s situation claims US Ambassador  

Meeting with Sri Lanka’s justice minister, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie J. Chung, claimed to be “extremely happy” with Sri Lanka’s current economic situation and "peaceful environment" despite growing alarm over Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

Sri Lanka's political and social instability drives away Japanese investment

Sri Lanka's political and social instability has been cited as a key reason for limited Japanese investment in the island.

Following a survey by the Japan External Trade Organisation, 93.5% of firms noted that "political and social instability" created a disadvantaged environment for investment on the island. 

The next most cited disadvantage was unclear policy management by local government (77.4 %) and currency volatility (58.1%).

David Cameron claims he is 'a friend of Sri Lanka' as pressure over Chinese project grows

Britain’s current foreign secretary claimed he visited the controversial Chinese-backed Port City Colombo as a “friend of Sri Lanka,” as the former premier sought to bat off allegations of ties with Beijing.

Appearing before the foreign affairs committee, Cameron denied that he was a “friend of China” as he drummed up investment for a controversial multibillion-pound Chinese project in Colombo. 

TPA leader demands Princess Anne ‘accept historical responsibility’ for plight of Malaiyaha Tamil community

Democratic People's Front (DPF) and Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan charged Princess Anne “to accept historical responsibility” over the plight of the Malaiyaha Tamil community, as the royal landed in Sri Lanka earlier today.

In a statement released as the British official embarked on her tour of the island, the parliamentarian said “I find no better time to raise this issue”.

Despite Tamil opposition, Sri Lanka’s parliament passes ‘Unity and Reconciliation’ Bill

Sri Lanka’s parliament has voted through a bill to establish yet another mechanism to look examine “Unity and Reconciliation” on the island, despite a range of Tamil parliamentarians voting overwhelmingly against the move.

The bill mandates the establishment of the ‘Office for National Unity and Reconciliation’ which would consist of 11 members approved by the Sri Lankan government.

Easter Sunday bombing victims go before Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court

Three victims of the Easter Sunday bombings, which occurred on 21 April 2019 and claimed the lives of over 260 people, have filed a Fundamental Rights petition before Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court seeking an order restraining Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon from accepting any further appointments as Acting Inspector General of Police.

The petitioners named Tennakoon as a senior official displaying serious neglect on part of Sri Lanka’s police and recommended taking disciplinary action him and other senior officials.

‘I am not going to comment on all this crap’ - Sri Lanka's Public Security minister refuses to respond ICIJ investigation

Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister, Tiran Alles, has lashed out at reporters investigating claims that he used shell companies to own properties in London.

The allegations emerged as part of the bombshell Pandora Papers investigations by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) which exposed the financial deals and hidden assets of politicians, celebrities, business people and criminals in more than 200 countries.

Sri Lanka to the rescue? Navy to deploy ship to tackle Houthis in Red Sea

Sri Lanka’s president said his military would be sending a patrol vessel to the Red Sea to help ward off attacks from Yemen’s Houthis, at a cost of Rs. 250 million every fortnight.

Addressing an event in Colombo last week, Ranil Wickremesinghe said a vessel would be sent to ensure trade routes along the Red Sea are protected from Houthi attacks, who have been targeting Israel and Israeli-linked vessels to push for a stop to the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.

In pictures and video – Sri Lankan police arrest Tamil families of disappeared leader

As Sri Lanka’s president travelled to the Tamil homeland last week, Sri Lankan police halted and arrested two women activists with the Vavuniya families of the disappeared as they attempted to protest.