Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sinnathurai commemorating Maaveerar Naal in London, 2022. Selvachandran Sinnathurai, the father of Lieutenant Shankar, the first fighter from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to be killed in the Tamil armed struggle, passed away in London earlier this month. Lieutenant Shankar holds a significant place in Tamil history as the first cadre to sacrifice his life in the early…

Amnesty calls on international community to keep Sri Lanka accountable

Amnesty International has released a report detailing Sri Lanka’s failure to meet its commitments and has called on the international community to reaffirm resolution 30/1, as well as continuing to monitor Sri Lanka’s progression.

7 police officers arrested over businessmen murder

A total of seven police officers, including two subinspectors, two police sergeants, two constables and a police driver have been arrested over the abduction and murder of two businessmen from Rathgama in January. A forest ranger from Walasmulla forest reserve has also been arrested in connection with the murders. 

Sri Lanka should not co-sponsor resolution says opposition leader

Sri Lanka's opposition leader and former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa said on Saturday the country should not co-sponsor a UN Human Rights Council resolution currently being tabled in Geneva. 

TNA meets with JVP to discuss devolution and new constitution

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) met with Sri Lanka’s Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) last week, to discuss power devolution and abolishing the executive presidency, in a move that marks formal dialogue between the two parties.

The Hindu reported TNA parliamentarian M A Sumanthiran as stating “all parties are agreeable on going ahead with devolution” and called on the JVP to continue to support a new constitution for the island.

“We told the JVP that the TNA’s position on the executive presidency is that it must be abolished,” said Sumanthiran. “If the matter comes up for a vote in Parliament, the TNA will certainly vote for its abolition.”

China approves $1 billion to Sri Lanka after years of delays

After a series of delays, China’s Exim Bank has approved a $1 billion loan to Sri Lanka as part of Colombo’s Central Expressway project.

However, delays in approving the loan have reportedly cost Sri Lanka an extra Rs 12 billion, which factors in the rising cost of building materials and currency fluctuations. 

World Bank approves $70 million to improve livelihoods

The World Bank has approved $70 million worth of credit to support “local economic activities and livelihoods” of those living in the North-East and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. 

The project is to support local economic activity, sanitation and infrastructure within these poorer provinces, through establishment and renovations of “roads, drains, water supply, minor irrigation, IT connectivity, and rural electrification”. 

British MPs reiterate commitment to Tamil genocide recognition

British parliamentarians reiterated their commitment to working towards justice for the genocide committed against the Tamil people, at an event in parliament last week.

Conservative parliamentarian Robert Halfon said he would “continue the fight for justice for the Tamil people,” speaking at the event organised by the British Tamil Conservatives.

Sri Lanka police initiate permanent land-grab in Manipay

A Sri Lankan police station has begun attempts to permanently seize privately-owned land which it occupies in Jaffna.

TNA backs further tests at Mannar mass grave

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has called for further testing of bone samples from a mass grave site in Mannar, where the remains of over 320 people, including children, have been found so far.

Sinhalese man arrested for drug possession in Vavuniya

<p>A Sinhalese man was arrested in possession of cannabis in Vavuniya on Friday.</p> <p>The 54-year-old from Ja-Ela was found in possession of 9kg of cannabis when the Colombo-bound bus he was on was searched by police in Puliyankulam.</p> <p>Police said he would be produced before court following investigations.</p>