Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed a campaign rally in Vavuniya this week, making a series of pledges ranging from land restitution to “national reconciliation”, ahead of local government elections next month. Dissanayake announced that all lands marked by the Sri Lankan Forest Department using Google Maps—including farmlands and reservoirs—would be re-evaluated and…

Mandaitivu massacre in 1986 remembered

The massacre of 31 fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy in Mandaitivu, Jaffna was remembered today thirty-three years on. 

The fishermen had gone fishing by Kurunagar port when they were attacked by navy personnel. 

US Congressional Caucus discusses lack of progress on transitional justice and rise of radical Sinhala nationalism in Sri Lanka

United States Congressmen from both main parties discussed the threat of radical Sinhala nationalism in Sri Lanka and the country's lack of progress on transitional justice during the 'Congressional Caucus on Ethnic and Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka' held in Washington DC last month. 

Sri Lankan air force attack remembered in Mullaitivu

The massacre of at least thirty-one children and students by the Sri Lankan air force was remembered today. 

On June 10, 1998, the air force shelled Suthanthirapuram, Mullaitivu. 

Gathering in the memory of those killed, local residents joined families of the victims in remembrance. 

Macau pull out of football qualifier in Sri Lanka

<p>Macau have pulled out of a football World Cup qualifier set to take place in Sri Lanka this week, citing security fears following the Easter Sunday bombings.</p> <p>Although Sri Lankan football authorities insisted the country was safe for international matches, the Macau Football Association said it had decided not to send a team "due to the recent terrorist attack in Sri Lanka and for the sake of the team's personal safety".</p>

Sinhalese man arrested on drugs charges in Vavuniya

<p>A Sinhalese man was arrested on drugs charges in Vavuniya on Sunday.</p> <p>The 45 year old was arrested after being found in possession of over 2 grammes of heroin, Vavuniya police said.</p> <p>The arrest took place in the Thekavathai area of Vavuniya district.</p>

Sri Lanka says no transfer of land included in East Container Terminal deal

The Sri Lankan government yesterday took pains to defend its decision to sign an agreement with India and Japan to develop the East Container Terminal at Colombo Port. 

Sri Lanka's intelligence chief resigns 

Sri Lanka's chief of national intelligence, Sisira Mendis resigned today just days after he told the parliamentary select committee investigating the Easter Sunday bombings that the attacks could have been prevented. 

Modi visits Sri Lanka

The Indian premier, Narendra Modi today visited Sri Lanka for four hours, becoming the first foreign leader to do so since the Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists. 

Families of disappeared protest Sri Lanka president's Mullaitivu visit

Tamil families of the disappeared protested the Sri Lankan president’s visit to Mullaitivu on Saturday.

The families, who have been protesting for over two years for answers on their forcibly disappeared relatives, criticised President Sirisena for failing to fulfil any of his promises made during his meetings with them.

Jihadi ideology' threat to India says HC to Sri Lanka

<p>The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka today warned that "Jihadi ideology" was a threat to both countries.&nbsp;</p> <p>Describing India as "first responder to Sri Lanka's needs and priorities", Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that the Indian premier Narendra Modi had offered all possible assistance to combat this threat to regional security and global peace.&nbsp;</p> <p>Singh's comments came just before Modi's visit to Sri Lanka - the first visit by a foreign leader since the Easter Sunday bombings by Islamist extremists.&nbsp;</p>