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…

Sirisena meets with NFF over Sri Lankan constitution

The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday met with the National Freedom Front group regarding the constitution amendment. 

The NFF, led by Wimal Weerawansa has been vociferous in campaigning against any constitutional change, arguing that "the government was trying to bring in the new Constitution on the requirement of the Western forces and Tamil Diaspora to please Tamil separatists."

"NFF has informed the President regarding three main points including the new constitutional amendment," Adaderana reported. 

Sri Lankan navy arrest 5 Tamil Nadu fishermen

Sri Lankan navy personnel arrested five Tamil Nadu fishermen on Thuesday, who are alleged to have crossed into the island's waters, The Hindu reported. 

The men were reported to have been fishing off the cost of Neduntheevu. 

“The naval men also seized the boat used by the fishermen from this town and took them to Mannar naval camp in Sri Lanka,” Manikandan, Assistant Director of Fisheries, was quoted by The Hindu as saying. 

Tamil civil society and political orgs call for strike in solidarity with political prisoners

Families of Tamil political prisoners at special prayers for the detainees at Nallur Kandasamy Kovil.

Photo: Hamsan for Tamil Guardian

Tamil civil society and political organisations have called for businesses and institutions to remain closed on Friday, October 13, in solidarity with Tamil political prisoners and their demands.

7 Tamils killed by Sri Lankan STF remembered in Amparai

On Monday, Amparai residents remembered 7 Tamils shot dead by Sri Lankan Special Task Force Troops in Thirukkovil in 2002.

Sri Lankan soldiers undertake dengue clean up in North-East schools

More than 1,000 Sri Lankan troops took part in a dengue cleanup program at schools across Kilinochchi and Vavuniya last month, declared an official military website

Sri Lankan military donates books to school library in Mullaitivu

The commander of Sri Lanka’s 591 Brigade oversaw a military ceremony to donate books to a children’s school library in Mullaitivu last month.

National Audit Bill approved by Sri Lankan cabinet after amendments

The National Audit Bill was approved by Sri Lanka's cabinet on Tuesday after key amendments were made, Adaderana reported. 

Both the UNP and the SLFP had opposed powers given to the Auditor General in the previous draft. In the current version, the Auditor General has no power to impose financial responsibility or surcharges on any individuals or institutions. 

The bill was one of the election promises made by the current government as part of its pledge to end corruption in state institutions and ensure transparency. 
 

Sri Lanka and Finland agree cooperation on energy

Sri Lankd and Finland issued a joint declaration this week agreeing to closer cooperation on developing clean and renewable energy sources. 

The declaration comes as the Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Finland, meeting with his counterpart on Tuesday. 

India-Sri Lanka to hold joint military exercises in Pune

Sri Lanka and India will hold joint military exercises in Pune between October 13 - 25. 

Officials from the army were quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying, "the aim of the joint training is to exchange the best of military practices of the two countries and build a strong military-to-military relation between the two armies."

Sri Lanka is not bound by UN rapporteur's recommendations says government

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry on Wednesday rejected reports the government would be bound by recommendations made by the UN Special Rapport on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence, Mr Pablo de Greiff who is due to visit the country this month.