Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A protest march was held last month opposing limestone excavation, mineral sand mining and a proposed wind power project across the villages of Veravil, Valaipadu, Ponnaveli and Kiranchi, in the Poonakary Divisional Secretariat division of Kilinochchi. The demonstration was organised against plans to establish wind power stations and to carry out mineral sand and limestone extraction in the…

Australia - uptick in asylum seekers by boat over past month

The Australian government expressed concern over an increase in the number of people fleeing Sri Lanka by boat towards the country in the past month, following a previous lull. 

Burning of Jaffna Library remembered 38 years on

Local residents and politicians gathered in Jaffna on Saturday to remember the burning of the library by Sri Lanka's security forces and state-sponsored mobs 38 years on. 

Muslim ministers resign as pressure mounts from Buddhist clergy

Muslim government officials, including all ministers and two governors, resigned yesterday from their posts following mounting pressure from senior Buddhist clergy and politicians.

SL business chamber tells govt to maintain law and order

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce urged the Sri Lankan government to maintain law and order, expressing concern about the rising ethnic tensions in the island. 

In a letter to the Secretary of Defence, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said, "As the highest ranking official vested with responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, we expect you will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to maintain peace, law and order and prevent the occurrence of unlawful and disruptive activities that will disturb the peace of the communities." 

Ranil meets with Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the opposition leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa today to discuss economic issues following the Easter Sunday bombings. 

The MPs Dinesh Gunawardena, Susil Premajayantha, Bandula Gunawardena, Udaya Gammanpila, and Gamini Lokuge have accompanied Rajapaksa, who has publicly criticised the government for failing to prevent the bombings. 

The Minister of Finance, Mangala Samaraweera is also said to be taking part. 

Tamil man killed by army vehicle in Nedunkeni

An elderly Tamil man was hit and killed on Sunday by a Sri Lankan army vehicle in Nedunkeni in Vavuniya district.

Witnesses said that the army officer driving the vehicle had been speeding when he hit the man on a bicycle in front of Nedunkeni Maha Vidyalayam.

Assassinated Tamil journalist remembered in North-East

Aiyathurai Nadesan was remembered by journalists and media workers at commemorative events in the North-East on the fifteenth anniversary of his assassination.

Police chief says president failed to prevent bombings

Sri Lanka's police chief, who was suspended after the Easter Sunday bombings, has accused the president of failing to prevent the attacks. 

Inspector-General Pujith Jayasundara submitted a 20 page complaint to the Supreme Court stating there were communication gaps between the intelligence agencies and pointing to Sirisena as being ultimately responsible. 

"The head of the SIS, Nilantha Jayawardena, did not take seriously the intelligence shared by neighbouring India which warned of an impending attack by the NTJ," Jayasundara said in the complaint, AFP reported. 

Mannar Tamil civil society org raided and threatened by Sri Lankan army

A Tamil civil society organisation in Mannar was raided by the Sri Lankan army and harassed by a senior army official on Thursday.

The Mannar Social and Economic Development Organisation (MSEDO), a group that has supported land rights campaigns around Mannar was subjected to a sudden search operation involving dozens of army personnel.

Despite the staff acquiescing to the search, the senior army official present threatened and verbally abused the staff present and ordered them to switch off the office’s CCTV camera.

Sri Lankan army personnel killed in Palaly landmine explosion

<p>A Sri Lankan army personnel was killed and two others severe injured from an explosion in Palaly, reportedly caused by a land mine in the occupied area.</p> <p>The personnel were clearing some land within the army camp’s premises, reportedly setting off a landmine when attempting to move a large rock.</p> <p>One personnel died on the spot from the impact. The other two were admitted to hospital.</p>