Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

Sri Lanka security force personnel laugh as rioter humiliates Muslim victim

Evidence has emerged of members of Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force, who were deployed to quell anti-Muslim violence, collaborating with rioters, reports Colombo Telegraph.

A video obtained by Colombo Telegraph, shows a rioter humiliating a Muslim victim, whilst the Special Task Force personnel look and laugh.

Confessing to his involvement in the riots, he is heard to say,

“It is because of what I did that you now find yourself on the streets.”

Mullaitivu families of disappeared mark one year of protest

Families of the disappeared marked one year since they started protesting in Mullaitivu today.

China: hope Sri Lanka will ensure security of its citizens

Commenting on recent anti-Muslim violence by Sinhala mobs in Sri Lanka, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Sri Lanka could handle the situation internally, however added that Beijing hoped the government would ensure the security of Chinese citizens on the island. 

“We have noted relevant reports. This belongs to Sri Lanka's internal affairs. China believes that the Sri Lankan government and its people are capable of handling the current situation, and upholding Sri Lanka's social stability and ethnic solidarity," the spokesperson, Geng Shuang said at a press conference. 

UK urges Sri Lanka to hold perpetrators of anti-Muslim violence to account

The UK on Thursday urged the Sri Lanka government to take action to hold those responsible for anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka to account. 

"We share concerns about recent inter-communal violence in Sri Lanka. We support the government's determination to end it swiftly, using measures that are proportionate and respect human rights, and urge it to hold the perpetrators to account," the UK's representative to the UN Human Rights Council said in a statement to the Council at an Item 2 debate during the 37th session. 

Sinhala mobs attacked Muslim shops, homes and mosques in villages by Kandy this week. 

UN Under Secretary General arrives in Sri Lanka

The UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday. 

Mr Feltman is undertaking a three day visit of the island where he is expected to meet with the president and prime minister, as well as civil society groups. 

He arrives as Sri Lanka continues to be in a state of emergency following anti-Muslim violence by Sinhala mobs in Kandy this week. 

Mothers mark year of disappearance protests at UNHRC

Mothers of the disappeared, currently attending the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, held a silent demonstration in solidarity with other families marking one year of the protests in Mullaitivu this week. 

More Muslims attacked by Buddhist mobs as violence continues in Sri Lanka – Associated Press

Sinhala Buddhist mobs have continued a wave of anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka, despite a massive security presence, a state of emergency and curfew imposed by the state, reports the Associated Press.

Mobs were still running through Muslim neighbourhoods in Kandy on Wednesday evening, according to reports.

One Muslim man described a gang of 50 people breaking into his small restaurant in Pilimathalawa and destroying the property. Similar attacks have reportedly taken place.

See more from the Associated Press here.

Sri Lankan PM beefs up security and calls for ‘all communities to provide maximum support’

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister urged “all communities” to help keep the crisis on the island under control, after days of riots against Muslim, led by Sinhala Buddhists in Kandy.

“I urge all communities including Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims to control this tense situation and provide maximum support to ensure a secure environment for all the people,” said Ranil Wickremesinghe, in a special statement on Wednesday evening.

Despite days of rioting which led to travel warnings from the United Kingdom, United States and Australia, Mr Wickremesinghe insisted that “the rest of the country is relatively calm”.

Sri Lanka's president removes Law and Order portfolio from Ranil Wickrememsinghe - PTI

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena has replaced Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Ranjith Maddumma Bandara as the new Minister of Law and Order reports the Press Trust of India.

The senior politician was sworn in as the new minister in charge of the police. The decision comes as Sri Lanka’s police forces faced criticism for failing to prevent the spread of Buddhist-monk led anti-muslim violence.

Should be no impunity for Sri Lanka's racial violence, says UN human rights chief

The UN High Commissioner for human rights has said there should be no impunity for the incitement and perpetration of attacks against Muslims in Sri Lanka this week.

Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, the High Commissioner, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said: