Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Skeletal remains found without skulls, and a body wearing a raincoat, are among the latest discoveries at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna, where the number of sets of human remains identified has risen to 478 as the third phase of court-supervised excavations continues. The findings come as Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department told the Jaffna Magistrate's Court on Thursday that it…

Colombo artists urge Sri Lankan government to fulfill promises

Sri Lankan artists are to begin a Sathyagraha campaign this week urging the government to fulfill the promises it made to the public. 

"The certain significant marks of the previous regime is visible in the present government and it is the public's duty to force the present government to get back into the right track," film director Dharmasiri Bandaranayake was quoted by Colombo Page as saying. 

"the Sathyagraha campaign is being conducted to get the government into the proper track," an actor, Nishshanka Diddeniya added. 

Body found in Trincomalee

The decomposed body of a man was found on Saturday within at Mani Arasan lake in Kinniya, Trincomalee, Batti News reports. 

The identity of the man remains unknown. However, local police have said a missing persons complaint was filed three days earlier after a cowherd did not return home. 

Police are reportedly investigating the death. 

Sri Lankan police launch intelligence unit for organised crime at STF premises

The Sri Lankan police have established a special police unit focussed on gathering information for organised crimes, Colombo Page reported. 

The unit will be located within the premises of the Special Task Force. 

Members of the public who provide 'accurate information' related to organised crimes and drug trafficking will be provided a financial reward, the paper added.  

Government pledges 2500 houses in Mullaitivu

The Sri Lankan government has pledged to build 2500 houses in Mullaitivu district as part of the 'Samata Sevana' national housing scheme. 

The chairman of the Housing Development Authority was quoted by Colombo Page as saying the houses would be complete within two months and will cost Rs 12.5 million. 

One thousands houses are being built in Vavuniya, the paper stated. 

Unnikrishnan Jaffna concert cancelled after threats from Douglas Devananda supporters

A concert set to take place in Jaffna featuring Tamil Nadu-based singer Unnikrishnan was cancelled after threats from supporters of EPDP leader, Douglas Devananda.

Posters saying the singer had insulted Douglas and could not “sing on our soil” until he had apologised, were pasted on promotional walls all over Jaffna town.

Organisers cancelled the Jaffna concert planned for Friday night, fearing disturbances from EPDP supporters.

Sri Lanka commits to switching to internationalised fuel pricing mechanism

Sri Lanka is to make its fuel pricing system reflect international prices said the Finance Ministry in a statement today.

“The finance minister Manglaa Samaraweera will be introducing pricing formulae to reflect international prices and give the benefit to consumers,” said State Minister for Finance Eran Wickramaratne.

As part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to receive US $1.5 billion Sri Lanka committed to re-introduce an internationalised fuel price formulae by the end of 2016 in and missed the deadline.

Sri Lankan soldiers dominate Achuveli temple chariot festival

Sri Lankan soldiers and army officers dominated a temple chariot festival in Jaffna district last week.

New accommodation built for Sri Lankan troops in Kilinochchi

The Sri Lankan military declared open a new accommodation block for troops in Kilinochchi this week, declared an official army website.

Asgiriya Chapter Buddhist monk warns Sri Lankan government

The General Secretary of the Asgiriya Chapter warned the Sri Lankan government that it had failed to heed the advice given by the chief monks of the island’s three major Buddhist orders, reports The Island.

Dr Medagama Dhammananda Nayaka said that a month had passed since Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena met with the chief monks, but “no action had been taken”.

In particular he cited the SAITM dispute and Central Bank Bond scams as areas of concern.

Sri Lankan Air Force celebrates 6th anniversary in North-East

The Sri Lankan Air Force celebrated the 6th anniversary of establishing bases in Mullaitivu and Iranamadu last week, with a series of events in the Tamil North-East.