Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A fundamental rights petition will be filed before Sri Lanka's Supreme Court seeking the release of Tamil artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, better known as HipHop Sangee, after his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), President's Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran announced on Thursday. The move comes amid growing criticism of the rapper's detention and mounting calls from…

91 arrested in Tamil Nadu protesting against Congress' failure safeguard Eelam Tamils

Ninety-one people were arrested in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on Saturday as they held a black flag protest condemning the Congress party's failure to safeguard Tamils in Sri Lanka as the armed conflict ended in 2009.

The protesters, members of the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam (TPDK) held the demonstration hours before the Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi was due to visit an election rally.

UN Special Rapporteur meets Tamil People's Council

The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Monica Pinto, met with members of the Tamil People's Council in Jaffna on Thursday, including Professor Chitrambalam, Mr. Janarthanan and Council member and Jaffna University Teachers Union President Dr Thirukumaran.

Highlighting the injustices suffered by the Tamil people during the armed conflict, members of the Tamil People's Council, called on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to establish an independent impartial inquiry immediately.

Sri Lankan navy constructs permanent fences at Mullivaikkal camp


The Sri Lankan navy is erecting permanent fences around its camp in Mullivaikkal, despite calls for the Sri Lankan military to release land it is occupying to its owners.

The camp, named the Gotabhaya Camp, was constructed on 671 acres of private land belonging to Tamils in Mullivaikkal East, that was illegally acquired by the navy shortly after the end of the armed conflict in 2009.

Asylum seekers deported by Australia arrested in Sri Lanka

The 12 asylum seekers who fled Sri Lanka and reached the Cocos Islands on Monday were all arrested on arrival at Colombo airport after being deported by Australian authorities on Thursday night.

The group, which is believed to include children and an infant as young as one, were handed over to Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department, reported Colombo Page.

The Australian government has refused to respond to concerns raised about the forced return, stating "we do not comment on operational matters".

Tamil UNP minister pledges to build memorial in Mullivaikkal

The UNP's State Minister of Child Affairs Vijayakala Maheswaran has pledged to build a memorial hall in Mullivaikkal, despite government opposition to public Tamil remembrance of the war dead.

“In remembrance of the 100,00 people who were massacred in the war, a memorial hall will be constructed at Mullivaikal with the support of Northern Provincial Council. I will accomplish this within the next five years.” the Tamil MP for Jaffna said.

“Nobody can oppose the construction of the memorial hall in remembrance of our deceased relatives. I do not care, even if I am dismissed.” she added.

Buddhist monk threatens protestors in Amparai

A protest held in Amparai earlier today, highlighting ongoing arrests and abductions by the government, was interrupted by a mob led by a Buddhist monk, Ceylonews reports.

Protestors urged the government to stop terrorising the North-East with the detentions, urged the release of those arrested and to stop abducting those it wants to detain.

UN Special Rapporteur visits Sri Lankan torture site

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has visited an infamous torture site used by the Sri Lankan military, reports The Island.

Special Rapporteur Juan Mendez visited Camp Joseph at the Sri Lankan Vanni Security Forces Headquarters during his tour of the island.

JHU calls for govt to 'react' to NPC's federalism resolution

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) on Thursday praised the Western Provincial Council's adoption of a resolution opposing the Northern Provincial Council's resolution calling for a federal solution and urged other provincial councils to do the same.

Chief Buddhist monk urges Sirisena to safeguard Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist monks of the Mahanayake chapter on Thursday wrote an impassioned plea to the president, Maithripala Sirisena, urging him to safeguard his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa by maintaining his security.