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…

Northern governor says OHCHR report based on 'gossip websites'

The Colombo appointed governor of the Northern Province today claimed the report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was based on information from "gossip websites". 

Kodagoda to head Sri Lanka's appeals court despite complicity in impunity

Sri Lanka's President's Counsel, Yasantha Kodagoda is to be appointed as President of the Court of Appeal despite years of criticism of his active efforts to delay and deny justice for serious crimes. 

SLPP says cosponsoring resolution was 'unconstitutional'

Sri Lanka's SLPP party accused the government of an "unconstitutional" move in co-sponsoring the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution. 

UN resolution alone will not lead to change in Sri Lanka - Freedom from Torture

A recently passed UN resolution on accountability on Sri Lanka alone will not lead to change, said UK-based charity Freedom from Torture, calling for clearer timelines on Colombo to deliver on promises made to the international community.

In a press release on Friday, the charity said the adoption of the UN resolution which grants Sri Lanka a further two years to implement a hybrid court with foreign judges to try those accused of violating international law was an “important step but we need a clear plan”.

Ranil claims to have ‘preserved Sri Lanka’s sovereignty’ at United Nations

Sri Lanka’s prime minister claimed to have “preserved Sri Lanka’s sovereignty” at the United Nations Human Rights Council last week, as he doubled down on his government’s stance against an international criminal justice mechanism.

Mattala airport to be developed with India

Sri Lanka's Mattala airport is to be developed with India's Aviation Authority, the prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe said today. 

Alternative avenues

For almost a decade, Tamil victims have looked to the UN Human Rights Council in their pursuit of justice. However, after years of resolutions followed by an extension, alongside lack of any progress on accountability, events at Geneva this week brought another deep disappointment.

Gotabaya could be candidate for Sri Lankan presidential elections - The Hindu

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former defence secretary accused of leading a military offensive that massacred tens of thousands of Tamils, may run as a candidate in this year’s presidential elections, reports The Hindu.

Political sources reportedly told The Hindu that Gotabaya “is very likely" to represent his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa’s, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP).

Sri Lanka is ‘backtracking on accountability’ says Amnesty International

Amnesty International said Sri Lanka has been “backtracking on accountability” and warned that victims groups had become disillusioned in the transitional justice process given Colombo’s failure to meet commitments made to the UN Human Rights Council.

Album of Persecution: Justice, Despair, Tears' - Jaffna photo exhibition


The long running campaign by families of the disappeared across the Tamil homeland was highlighted in a moving photo exhibition, 'Album of Persecution: Justice, Despair, Tears', in Jaffna last week.