Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The LGBTQIA+ community in Jaffna held their fifth annual Pride Walk, under the theme  “We Exist For Each Other".  The walk, organised by the Jaffna Transgender Network, began outside the iconic Jaffna Public Library and proceeded along Hospital Road and Pannai Road before ending at Jaffna Fort.  Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, human rights activists, civil society…

TID interviews Jaffna editors over Tamil homeland display

Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division on Sunday took statements from the editors of the three Jaffna based newspapers in relation to a Tamil homeland display at a temple festival in Aanaikkottai. 

The editors of Uthayan, Valampuri and Thinakkural were questioned following approval by Jaffna Magistrate Court. 

Last month the TID summoned five Tamils along with a journalist, Uthayarasa Shalin to their Colombo office for an inquiry. 

Sri Lanka slams Nomura for assessment of exchange rate crisis

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has come out to reject a report by Nomura, which placed most at risk of an exchange rate crisis earlier this month.

Instead Sri Lanka’s central bank has claimed the ‘Damocles score’ published by Nomura is a “rudimentary attempt” and that the “report has not undergone a thorough review before publication”.

New Pongu Tamil declaration monument unveiled at Jaffna University

A new monument commemorating the 2001 Pongu Tamil declaration was unveiled at Jaffna University on Monday.

Joint Indian-Sri Lankan military exercise in Trinco ends

A joint military exercise between Sri Lankan and India in Trincomalee concluded this week, as the Sri Lankan government continues to build military relations despite human rights concerns.

Sri Lankan president will ask UN to drop war crimes charges

Sri Lanka’s president will ask the United Nations not pursue accountability for war crimes committed by Sri Lankan troops and will instead call on the Human Rights Council to “remove these charges”.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo last week, Maithripala Sirisena said that he "will also make a written request to the Human Rights Council to settle the allegations against our troops".

Unemployment doubles in Jaffna

The latest figures from Sri Lanka’s census department reveal that unemployment has almost doubled over the past two years across the Jaffna district, as Tamils across the North-East continue to struggle with their livelihoods.

Unemployment in Jaffna in 2015 was 5.7 percent, but has steadily risen to 7 percent in 2016 and now to 10.7 percent.

Meanwhile, unemployment in Mullaitivu has also risen from 3.7 percent in 2016 to 4.8 percent in 2017.

Fishermen demand action against illegal fishing in Mullaitivu

Fishermen in Mullaitivu today held a demonstration demanding action against ongoing illegal fishing in the area. 

Condemning the widespread practice of accepting bribes in exchange for allowing illegal fishing, the fishermen demanded that any corrupt officials face justice. 

TID investigates foreign trips by Siva Senai leader

Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division has summoned the leader of the Hindu fundamentalist organisation, Siva Senai to their office in Colombo on September 18. 

The TID have said the inquiry relates to the Siva Senai leader, Maravanpulavu Sachithananthan's foreign trips. 

The summons was delivered to his home on Saturday. 

8 Tamil political prisoners continue hunger strike at Anuradhapura prison

Eight Tamil political prisoners at Anuradhapura prison continued their hunger strike for the fourth day today. 

M Sulaksan, E Thiruvarul, S Jeyachandran, R Rupan, S Thillairaj, E Jegan, S Sivaseelan and T Nirmalan are demanding they be released following a quick rehabilitation. 

A number of Tamil political prisoners remain in prison for years without charge under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

Tamils across the North-East have called for them to be released. 

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, M A Sumanthiran met with the 8 men yesterday. 

STF arrest fisherman in Thalaiyadi

Sri Lanka's Special Task Force (STF) arrested a fishermen on Saturday in  Thalaiyadi, Maruthenkeni, Jaffna.

STF officers broke into the fisherman's house and allege a bag was found containing explosives. 

The fisherman says the explosive material was being used by him to make dynamite for fishing purposes.