Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sinhalisation continues as monks celebrate New Year in Neduntheevu 
A New Year celebration titled the ‘Tamil-Sinhala New Year,’ organised by the Umanthava Buddhist Village and the Sri Sathagam Ashram group, was held in Neduntheevu on Monday, raising concerns over the growing Sinhala-Buddhist presence and cultural encroachment in the Tamil homeland. The event took place at Maviddapuram Roman Catholic School in Neduntheevu (Delft Island), with around 350 Tamil…

ACF, Avaaz call for an independent investigation

Oct 9, 2012
Following last week's call by Action Against Hunger for an independent investigation into the murder of 17 aid workers, they have teamed up with Avaaz and Daily Motion to release a powerful new campaign video.

IMF downgrades Sri Lanka's growth to 6.7 percent

Oct 9, 2012

The International Monetary Fund downgraded Sri Lanka's growth to 6.7 percent on Wednesday from the 6.8 expected by Sri Lanka's Central Bank, as inflation is expected to hit double figures at 10.1 percent by the end of this year.

The relatively conservative over-estimate by the Central Bank, came after it was forced to downgrade the initial 8 percent predicted forecast.

In 2010 and 2011, Sri Lanka had a growth of 8 percent and 8.3 percent respectively.

Indian Supreme Court refuses to ban SL defence training

Oct 8, 2012

The Supreme Court in Delhi has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation, calling on the Indian government to ban the training of Sri Lankan defence officials.

"It is a matter of foreign policy. We won't interfere with the policy matters," said judges at the court.

Sri Lanka looks to ‘address’ language issues

Oct 8, 2012
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of National Languages and Ethnic Integration announced that it planned to introduce a hotline for resolving the language issues affecting the public service.

The minister of the Ministry National Languages and Ethnic Integration, Vasudeva Naanyakkara, assured that the Ministry was fully committed to implement the Official Languages Policy, which alleges to promote language rights and equality, throughout the country.

A militarised education

Oct 8, 2012
Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapksa has rewarded principals from the country’s Ministry of Education by promoting them to the military rank of Brevet Colonels, reported the Ministry of Defence.

In a ceremony held in Colombo on Monday, 23 officials from the Ministry of Education and Education Administration Service

Recalling his earlier days as a schoolchild, the Defence Secretary also reportedly,

Defence Secretary praises ‘Buddhist revivial’

Oct 8, 2012
Speaking at the opening of a new hall at a Buddhist centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary has praised the role of the Buddhist clergy in “safeguarding the motherland” and stated that the country was in the midst of a “Buddhist revivial”.

See the report from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, which reported on the Vihara opening, here. Excerpts have been reproduced below.

SL lifts travel advisory on Tamil Nadu

Oct 8, 2012

Sri Lanka lifted its travel advisory against travel to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

The ban was instigated citing attacks against Sri Lankan pilgrims in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said:

“Following a series of unfortunate incidents faced by Sri Lankans visiting Tamil Nadu, in particular a group of Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting the Poornimatha Church in Thanjavur in early September 2012, the Government of Sri Lanka was compelled to issue a travel advisory for Sri Lankan nationals visiting the state of Tamil Nadu.

Judges strike against judge attack

Oct 7, 2012

Judges in Sri Lanka protested on Monday, after a High Court judge was beaten with pistols and stabbed. In a statement, judicial association would not work for one day in protest at the attack.

Sexual attacks on Tamil women in the East

Oct 7, 2012

A 38-year-old mother of five was sexually assaulted and killed in Batticaloa on Monday, repored TamilNet on Monday.

Ms A Sinnapillai was gagged and dragged out of her home by two Sinhalese workers and allegedly raped and murdered in a nearby jungle. Her body was found dumped upside down in a pit.

Malaysia to sign trade deal with SL

Oct 7, 2012

Malaysia is planning to sign a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka regarding the oil and gas sector, reported the Daily News.

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Azmi Zainuddin said the MoU could help the Sri Lankan Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat to formalise business and investment opportunities with Malaysian firms.

“We recognise the potential that Malaysian oil and gas companies could offer Sri Lankan companies in this sector.

IMF downgrades Sri Lanka's growth to 6.7 percent
Indian Supreme Court refuses to ban SL defence training
Sri Lanka looks to ‘address’ language issues
A militarised education
Defence Secretary praises ‘Buddhist revivial’
SL lifts travel advisory on Tamil Nadu
Judges strike against judge attack
Sexual attacks on Tamil women in the East
Malaysia to sign trade deal with SL
UN official calls for “greater attention” to resettled people
IMF downgrades Sri Lanka's growth to 6.7 percent
Indian Supreme Court refuses to ban SL defence training
Sri Lanka looks to ‘address’ language issues
A militarised education
Defence Secretary praises ‘Buddhist revivial’
SL lifts travel advisory on Tamil Nadu
Judges strike against judge attack
Sexual attacks on Tamil women in the East
Malaysia to sign trade deal with SL
UN official calls for “greater attention” to resettled people