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…

Public better be on alert warns Fonseka

Sri Lanka's former army commander, and current UNP MP, Sarath Fonseka warned the public to be on alert, following the Easter Sunday suicide bombings. 

Ammunition found in Jaffna

Ammunition was reportedly found in Jaffna on Friday in Siruththevu near the town centre. 

Modi invites TNA MPs for talks in India

<p>India’s prime minister Narendra Modi has invited senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs to New Delhi to discuss Tamil issues, Daily Mirror reports.</p> <p>TNA leader R Sampanthan and MPs M A Sumanthiran, Selvam Adaikalanathan and Mavai Senathirajah are reportedly preparing for the trip.</p> <p>Among the topics for discussion will be constitutional reform and a political solution, as well as further talks on Indian support for developing Palaly into an international airport.</p>

UK FCO's 2018 report highlights stalled transitional justice process

<p>The human rights situation in Sri Lanka was “mixed” in 2018, a UK government report stated, citing key concerns including increased inter-communal tensions, the slow delivery of key reconciliation commitments, delays in introducing new human rights compliant counter terrorism legislation and a stalled transitional justice process.</p> <p>&nbsp;The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual report, ‘Human Rights and Democracy in 2018’ said that “throughout the year, human rights defenders in the North and East raised increased concerns of surveillance and harassment.”</p>

Christian shrine in Jaffna vandalised

A roadside Christian shrine in Jaffna was vandalised and its statue smashed by unknown attackers on Sunday night.

The shrine to the Virign Mary in Maniyam Thoddam was one frequently used by local worshippers.

Police said they were investigating the incident.

18 Tamil Nadu fishermen released

Sri Lanka on Saturday released 18 Tamil Nadu fishermen following over two months of detention for alleged illegal fishing. 

Sirisena discusses strengthening bilateral relations with Putin

Sri Lanka's prime minister, Maithripala Sirisena held discussions with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin on Saturday, on strengthening bilateral relations. 

Sinhalese protesters bussed in from South to Mullaitivu Tamil temple

Sinhalese people from the South were brought to Mullaitivu in three buses on Sunday to hold another protest against a Tamil temple.

The latest protest outside the Neeraviyadi Pillaiyar temple, due to the removal of a Sinhalese road sign, follows a protest on June 5 calling on the Sri Lankan president to intervene and reprise the temple’s land to the occupying Buddhist monk.

Four Batticaloa ilmenite protestors arrested

Four Batticaloa residents who took part in a protest against the acquisition of Tamil land for ilmenite mining were arrested on Thursday and released on bail later that day.

Vakarai police said the four had been arrested following complaints from the ilmenite factory’s staff that the protesters had damaged its entrance and had rioted within the premises.

Militarisation: Buddhist ceremony for new Sri Lankan army building in PTK

The Sri Lankan army held a Buddhist ceremony in Mullaitivu on Wednesday, where the 68 Division announced it will be constructing its new headquarters as militarisation expands in the Tamil homeland.