Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
‘Where is the LTTE?’ Lawyer challenges terror charges against jailed Tamil rapper
  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…

New Sri Lankan party to regenerate 'supremacy of Sinhala people'

Jan 5, 2016
A newly formed Sri Lankan party intends to safeguard the identity of the Sinhala people and "regenerate the supremacy and pride of the Sinhala people", the Daily Mirror reported.

The party, named 'Sinhala Jathika Balamuluwa' held its first press conference on Wednesday, where is chairman the buddhist monk, Yakkalamulle Pawara Thera, addressed journalists.

“We formed this organization to take the lead in this new-found need of the people to rise up and work for the benefit of the people, to protect their rights," he was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying.

Sri Lankan military plant branch of Buddhist sacred tree in Kilinochchi

Jan 5, 2016

The Sri Lankan military planted a branch of Buddhist sacred tree at the army base in Kilinochchi on January 2nd.

Norway to 're-establish political contact with Sri Lanka'

Jan 5, 2016
The Norwegian foreign minister is to visit Sri Lanka on Thursday aiming to "re-establish political contact with Sri Lanka" the minister, Borge Brende said.

The visit will be the first time a Norwegian minister has visited the island since 2006.

"The aim of the visit to Colombo is to re-establish political contact with Sri Lanka," Brende was quoted by Sri Lanka's official state media, News.lk, as saying.

Keppappilavu villagers demand return of land, protest army occupation

Jan 4, 2016

Mullaitivu villagers protested against militarization and demanded the return of their occupied lands on Monday.

Keppappilavu residents demonstrated against the occupation of 475 acres of their land and called out slogans demanding the army get out.

Sri Lanka government doctors oppose trade agreement with India

Jan 4, 2016

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to postpone the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement until a national policy on trade agreements was worked out.

IN a letter to the president, the general secretary of the GMOA Dr Nalinda Herath said trade agreements should be drafted while maintaining the country’s identity and security.

“Resolving the shortcomings of an agreement will consume a massive amount of money. This was evident during the arbitration regarding the hedging agreement. The massive loss caused by hedging the agreement will have to be borne by generations to come.

Commenting on the existing Free Trade Agreement between India Dr Heath added,

“The existing Indo-Sri Lanka FTA has not benefited Sri Lanka. Those who drafted this agreement have failed to pay attention to the needs and responsibilities of Sri Lanka and the burden is now upon its citizens.

Sri Lanka to finalise India trade agreement by mid-2016 announces ministry (30 Dec 2015)

See our editorial:

Sri Lanka’s Indophobia (07 Aug 2015)

See also:

Evidence removed from suspected torture cell in former military zone say locals

Jan 4, 2016


Barbed wire, old military uniforms, army boots and wall prints were removed overnight by army personnel from a suspected military run torture cells in Valikamam North, said locals.

Locals said the evidence of torture was erased or destroyed by the army following reports that emerged at the weekend that two houses located in land which was occupied by the military for over 25 years, had signs of previous use as torture cells.

Jaya urges Modi to ensure release of 104 fishermen detained by Sri Lanka

Jan 4, 2016
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged the Central Indian government to ensure the release of 104 fishermen detained by Sri Lanka.

In the latest letter to the prime minister on the issue, Ms Jayalalithaa wrote, "The continued incarceration of the fishermen and their boats for extended periods and the apparent lack of any serious effort on behalf of the government of India to obtain their early release has contributed in no small measure to the sense of despondency amongst the coastal fishermen community."

"I write to bring to your notice four incidents that have occurred in rapid succession in the last 24 hours in which 20 fishermen in four mechanized fishing boats have been arrested and detained," she said.

Witness alleges Raviraj killing involved Sri Lankan navy intelligence

Jan 4, 2016
A witness in an inquiry into the assassination of the former TNA Jaffna MP N Raviraj said Sri Lankan navy intelligence officials were involved, the Daily Mirror reported.

The witness, Sampath Prithiviraj, said the officials associated with the navy intelligence office in Gangarama had planned the killing.

See more reports of Mr Prithiviraj's remarks here on Daily Mirror.

Sri Lanka will not act 'in haste' on special court says president

Jan 3, 2016
The Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena reiterated on Sunday the government would not act "in haste" on establishing a special court as detailed in the UN resolution adopted in September.

Mr Sirisena made these remarks, speaking in Sinhala in an interview to The Hindu.

Stating that “we have not been ordered to do anything", Mr Sirisena called for a gradual approach towards implementation, adding that it should be a “collective exercise."

No political prisoners in Sri Lanka says president

Jan 3, 2016

The Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday that 215 Tamils incarcerated would not be granted amnesty as there were "no political prisoners" in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr Sirisena acknowledged that there were widespread calls for the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to be repealed, however said, "when even powerful nations are grappling with problems arising out of terrorism... my government has to consider all factors before taking a decision.”

Sri Lankan military plant branch of Buddhist sacred tree in Kilinochchi
Norway to 're-establish political contact with Sri Lanka'
Keppappilavu villagers demand return of land, protest army occupation
Sri Lanka government doctors oppose trade agreement with India
Evidence removed from suspected torture cell in former military zone say locals
Jaya urges Modi to ensure release of 104 fishermen detained by Sri Lanka
Witness alleges Raviraj killing involved Sri Lankan navy intelligence
Sri Lanka will not act 'in haste' on special court says president
No political prisoners in Sri Lanka says president
Remerger of Northern and Eastern provinces out of the question assures Sri Lanka MP
Sri Lankan military plant branch of Buddhist sacred tree in Kilinochchi
Norway to 're-establish political contact with Sri Lanka'
Keppappilavu villagers demand return of land, protest army occupation
Sri Lanka government doctors oppose trade agreement with India
Evidence removed from suspected torture cell in former military zone say locals
Jaya urges Modi to ensure release of 104 fishermen detained by Sri Lanka
Witness alleges Raviraj killing involved Sri Lankan navy intelligence
Sri Lanka will not act 'in haste' on special court says president
No political prisoners in Sri Lanka says president
Remerger of Northern and Eastern provinces out of the question assures Sri Lanka MP