The British General Election of 2017 has thrown up some surprising results. When the election was first called, few could have predicted the outcome. The ruling Conservative Party lost their majority in parliament and the Labour Party clawed back a massive deficit in the polls. The pundits were amiss with their predictions and many, including Prime Minister Theresa May, were left wrong footed by the results. Analysts from across the political spectrum have begun examining the vote and revisiting their engagement with the electorate, with questions being asked of how the Conservatives lost such a comfortable majority. Amongst the key demographics whose voting intentions will be closely scrutinised in the weeks to come, will be Britain’s ethnic minority groups. With many constituencies across the country having been heavily contested and hanging in the balance between the country's major parties, their role was crucial. British Tamils, who have a considerable presence in many of these constituencies, particularly in London, are one such influential group.
Tamil schools in Denmark celebrated their students’ sporting achievements with their annual sports festival last week.
Sri Lanka’s former foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera has been excluded from the government body tasked with implementing the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on promoting accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. A Cabinet Memorandum obtained by Colombo Telegraph, indicates that Sri Lanka’s prime minister proposed the following ministers to form the committee under his leadership: Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Ports & Shipping Sagala Ratnayaka, Minister of Law & Order and Southern Development Dr Wijayadasa...
Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe accused the UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers of violating “the country’s sovereignty.” Rejecting the findings of the Rapporteurs report, Mr Rajapakshe said, “we are surprised by the allegations made by her who was in Sri Lanka for only seven days." "Her knowledge on the judicial systems of various countries is questionable. This report will tarnish Sri Lanka’s image and violate the country’s sovereignty. Ms Pinto in her report alleged that the Constitutional Council is no independent as all appointments are made by...
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi's Northern Provincial Council members took back the letter of no-confidence against Chief Minister Wigneswaran from Governor Reginald Cooray today. The rescinding of the motion which was dubbed 'the people's victory' by Jaffna-based newspaper Valampuri, follows mass protests last week in support of C. V. Wigneswaran across the Northern Province. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Wigneswaran confirmed with Governor Cooray that he would take on the agriculture and education ministerial portfolios until new ministers had been decided.
The use of the word ‘Eelam’ on the pedestal of a Thiruvalluvar statue in Kilinochchi is being investigated by Sri Lankan terrorism police.
Tamils in the UK protested against state repression and the detention of Thirumurugan Gandhi, leader of the Tamil Nadu based May 17 movement.
The Sri Lankan government should immediately repudiate statements by the country’s justice minister threatening to disbar a prominent lawyer for speaking out against attacks on religious minorities, said Human Rights Watch. In a statement released on Monday, Human Rights Watch director Brad Adams said, “Government inaction in the face of the justice minister’s threat to revoke the license of a prominent rights lawyer for speaking out on behalf of an embattled community will have reverberations beyond Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s friends should be clear they are watching the government’s response...
The UK’s Department for International Trade has updated its Overseas Business Risk Guidance on Sri Lanka, stating that “doing business in Sri Lanka is not without risks, but lots of companies successfully export to and invest and operate in Sri Lanka.” Under business and human rights advice, the guidance states that there “is concern for minority rights including those of ethnic groups, LGBT and disabled groups.” However the guidance makes no reference to internationally recognised human rights issues which remain unresolved, such as militarisation of the North-East, especially of the economy...
The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan confirmed that the no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister of the Northern Province would be withdrawn. In a letter to Chief Minister CV WIgneswaran, Mr Sampanthan said, “I have just informed the Hon Governor Northern Province by telephone that the Motion of No _ Confidence will be withdrawn. I am communicating with relevan persons.” Mr Sampanthan also added that he noted the request of the Chief Minister that northern provincial council ministers under investigation for corruption should not impede in any independent legal...