Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to Puthukudiyiruppu in Mullaitivu yesterday for local election campaigning saw an intense security clampdown across the district, with heavy deployment of armed forces and police. Security presence was notably heightened in key areas including Mullaitivu town, Mullivaikkal, and Puthukudiyiruppu. Members of the public attending the meeting…

Army 'finds' porn and explosives in TNA office

The Sri Lankan Army has reportedly discovered a stash of explosives and pornographic material in the office of Tamil National Alliance MP for Kilinochchi, reported the Daily Mirror.

Military Spokesperson Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya was quoted as saying the MP's Coordinating Secretary had been taken into custody over the incident.

Commonwealth Sec General, UK concerned about impeachment

Criticising the impeachment of the Chief Justice, the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma said the "Commonwealth, collectively, is profoundly concerned about this situation."

Sri Lanka recalls ambassador to Saudi Arabia

The Sri Lankan government has recalled their ambassador to Saudi Arabia in response to the execution of a maid, convicted of murdering her employer’s baby.

Karunatilake Amunugama, secretary of the External Affairs Ministry, told Reuters,

"(This is) to show our displeasure for not hearing the government's appeal to save Rizana Nafeek,"

"He (the envoy) has been recalled with immediate effect."

Weerawansa's revelations...

Speaking on the Seventh Hour Programme, the well-known Minister Wimal Weerawansa informed viewers that the recent situation with the Chief Justice was 'another LTTE conspiracy to destabilise the country.'

Stating that the Chief Justice had published articles on devolution of power, Weerawansa pointed his finger towards the publication of the Chief Justice's articles on the Groundviews website and TamilNet.

US embassy - 'deeply concerned'

In a statement on the impeachment proceedings, the US embassy, said it "remains deeply concerned about the impeachment proceedings" and that it "calls into question issues about the separation of powers in Sri Lanka and the impact of its absence on democratic institutions".

The statement went on to say:

Coconut seedlings courtesy of the military

The 521 Brigade of Point Pedro have been handing out coconut seedlings to recently displaced people in the Vadamaratchi area.

US: 'serious concerns' over govt actions to impeach

Commenting on the Chief Justice impeachment saga, the spokesperson for the US State Department, Victoria Nuland said on Thursday:

"As we said before, we had serious concerns about the actions that were taken to impeach the Chief Justice and the timing of the impeachment and that it raised serious questions about the process and government pressure on the judiciary."

Uthayan newspaper distributor attacked

An Uthayan employee who was distributing newspapers was attacked and 1500 newspaper set alight, during the early hours of Thursday morning, reports the media outlet.

Using poles, four unidentified men attacked the employee by Maalu junction. The men then threw the victim, 30 year old Nakeswaran Pratheepan, inside a drain before setting alight his newspapers.

He is currently been admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital with injuries including a broken arm. 

Buddhist monks demonstrate demanding removal of mosque.. again

Buddhist monks carried out a demonstration on Wednesday, demanding the immediate removal of a Mosque and the Muslim community living at Anuradhapuram, Malwathu Oya, reported Uthayan.

Muslim Tamil National Front Leader, Azath Saali, raised concerns about the Muslim Congress’ inadequacy at addressing the harsh oppressive reality of the Sri Lankan government, stating:

French ambassador questions military activity in Jaffna

The French ambassador to Sri Lanka has queried the military’s activities in civil administration, as she travelled across the North this week, reported Jaffna-based newspaper Uthayan.

French ambassador Christine Robin met with the Additional Government Agent Mrs.Rubini Varathalingam and questioned her about the military involvement in the North, as well the situation of young women affected by the war.