Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The Toronto City Council unanimously passed a motion on May 22 for the city to work with the Tamil community to build a Tamil Genocide Monument in Scarborough. The motion was brought forward by Parthi Kandavel, city councillor for Scarborough Southwest, and seconded by fellow councillor Josh Matlow, representing Toronto-St. Paul’s. It requests the city to identify a potential site in a City of…

US condemns blasts, confirms several citizens killed

The United States offered its “deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed” in a press statement by Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.

Pipe bomb safely defused at Sri Lanka's main international airport

<p>A pipe bomb was found and safely defused at Sri Lanka’s main international&nbsp;airport earlier today.</p> <p>Speaking to the Sunday Times on Easter Sunday, Airforce Spokesperson Gihan Seneviratne said,</p> <p>“A PVC pipe which was six feet in length containing explosives was discovered.”</p>

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister missed foreign intelligence warnings of terror attacks due to feud with president

<p>Sri Lanka’s prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe missed out on foreign intelligence warnings of imminent attacks due to an ongoing feud with Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena.</p> <p>The news comes following a briefing by Health Minster Rajitha Senaratne, who said the premier had been kept out of intelligence briefings, and not been told of a report on April 11 that outlined foreign intelligence warnings of attacks on churches by a domestic militant group called the National Thawheed Jama’ut.</p>

Jaffna University teaching hospital facilitates emergency blood donor drive in response to Easter bomb blasts

Jaffna University teaching hospital was flooded with blood donors earlier today as the teaching hospital started an emergency blood donor drive.

Local community members poured through the hospital to donate blood over the course of Easter Sunday, to assist ongoing emergency medical efforts for those affected by the bomb blasts.

 

Canadian government warns 'other attacks could occur' in Sri Lanka

Global Affairs Canada has described the current situation in Sri Lanka as “volatile” in a travel advisory released earlier today. 

The Canadian government also stated that “others attacks could occur throughout the country”. It called on Canadians to “be aware of how curfew may impact your movements, and limit them as much as possible”.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined a long list of world leaders responding to the attacks. 

Archbishop of Colombo urges Sri Lankans not to take "law into their own hands"

<p>The Archbishop of Colombo has urged Sri Lankans not to take the law into their own hands in response to today's string of bomb blasts in Sri Lanka.</p> <p>In a statement today, the Archbishop of Colombo said, “it’s a very, very sad day for all of us.</p> <p>I wish to therefore express my deepest sorrow and sympathy to all those innocent families that have lost someone and also to those who have been injured and rendered destitute.&nbsp;</p> <p>I would like to call upon all to pray that all those who are injured may be healed soon and that all these families who have lost someone may be consoled.</p>

TNA condemns "horrific" Easter Sunday bombing.

<p>The Tamil National Alliance has released a statement condemning the&nbsp;Easter Sunday bomb today.</p> <p>The <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/TNAmediaoffice/status/1119897132243329024?s=…">statement reads</a>:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <blockquote><p> "The horrific attacks that took place today targeting churches and hotels in Batticaloa and Colombo are an attack on all of us, not just some of us.</p>

Sri Lanka MoD declares island-wide curfew following blasts

An island-wide curfew has been declared by Sri Lankan miltiary and police following blasts in Batticaloa and Colombo on Easter Sunday.

At a press conference earlier today, Sri Lanka's State Minister of Defence, Ruwan WIjewardene said the government would impose an island wide curfew for the time being. 

While the curfew was initially announced as in operation between 6pm and 6am, the government took the decision to bring the curfew forward with immediate effect.

At least 160 have been killed in eight explosions, with the death toll rising.

India PM condemns 'horrific blasts' in Sri Lanka

The Prime Minister of India has condemned the bombings of churches and hotels in Batticaloa and Colombo which have killed over 150 this morning.

“Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka,” Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter. “There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured.”

Eight explosions have been reported so far with the death toll rising. British and American citizens are reported to be among several foreign citizens killed.

World leaders condemn "horrific" Easter Sunday bombing

World Leaders have condemned the Easter Sunday bomb attack in Sri Lanka in statements released today.


In a tweet this morning Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, said:

"Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief".

The Australian Prime Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, said on Twitter: