Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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…

Sri Lankan minister criticises suspension of police training as ‘unfair’

Responding to Police Scotland’s suspension of its police training programme, due to human rights concerns, Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister, Sarath Weerasekara, decried the decision as “unfair”.

“How can they level any such charges? Have they actually done any investigation to prove those claims? It is very unfair if they (Police Scotland) have suspended such a training programme simply on such claims,” the minister complained.

Swiss Tamils mark 15th anniversary of Sencholai massacre

Swiss Tamils marked the 15th anniversary of the Sencholai massacre with a silent protest outside the United Nations in Geneva yesterday.  

On August 14 2006, four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers. 

Sencholai massacre remembered across the North-East amidst state crackdown on Tamil memorialisation

Remembrance events for the victims of the 2006 Sencholai massacre, in which 53 school children and 3 teachers were killed, took place across the homeland yesterday, amidst the ongoing crackdown by the state on Tamil memorialisation. 

31st anniversary of forcibly disappeared Father commemorated in Batticaloa

The 31st anniversary since human rights activist Father Eugene John Hebert was forcibly disappeared was commemorated in Batticaloa yesterday.

Sri Lankan security forces block Sencholai massacre commemoration in Mullaitivu

Sri Lankan security forces cordoned off the roads leading to the Sencholai children's home in Vallipunam, Mullaitivu, in an attempt to block any commemorations of the massacre from taking place. 

On this day 15 years ago, four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers. 

German Tamils demand justice for the Sencholai massacre

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Sencholai massacre, in which Sri Lanka’s airforce massacred 53 school girls by bombing the Sencholai orphanage, German Tamils continued their demands for justice. Protests were held in Berlin and in Dortmund.

British Tamils demand justice for Sencholai massacre

Marking the 15th anniversary of the Sencholai massacre, in which Sri Lanka’s airforce massacred 53 school girls by bombing the Sencholai orphanage, British Tamils continue their demands for justice.

The demonstrations were organised by the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO).

‘TNA won't hesitate to talk to government, provided our demands are met’ - TNA MP Adaikalanathan says

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Selvam Adaikalanathan, a parliamentarian from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), said that his party would not hesitate to participate in talks with the government, provided they meet the demands laid out by TNA.

Adaikalanathan was addressing recent reports suggesting that a meeting between the government and TNA was imminent. 

British Foreign Secretary ensures funding to investigate Sri Lankan war crimes

Responding to concerns raised by Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT), Elliot Colburn, over potential cuts in funding to UN Expert Committee, British Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, highlighted his concerns for the human rights environment in Sri Lanka and noted that his officials have been in contact with the Office of the UN High Commissioner to secure a level of funding which would enable for collection and analysis of evidence of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka refuses lockdown but imposes inter-provincial travel ban

Against the medical advice of Sri Lanka’s own Medical Association and World Health Organisation officials, Sri Lanka’s President refused to impose but has implemented an inter-provincial travel ban as COVID fatalities continue to rise.