Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Jaffna commemorates Black July victims
Commemorations were held across Jaffna over the weekend to mark 43 years since the Black July pogrom, honouring the thousands of Tamils killed in the anti-Tamil violence of July 1983 and the Tamil political prisoners massacred while in state custody. At the Thanthai Selva Auditorium in Jaffna, a common flame of remembrance was lit on Saturday, 25 July, and candles were lit in memory of the…

India foreign minister meets Sri Lanka prime minister to discuss bilateral issues

Feb 4, 2016
India’s External Affairs Minsiter Sushma Swaraj on Friday met with Sir Lanka’s prim minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss Indian investment and the Trincomalee harbour area, reports firstpost.

Ms Swaraj is set to attend the ninth session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission which looks to address matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation.

Tamils in Amparai mark Independence Day with protest for the disappeared

Feb 4, 2016

Dozens of Tamils in Amparai held a protest demanding information regarding their missing relatives as the Sri Lankan government celebrated Independence Day in Colombo on Thursday.

Women held photos of their missing loved ones, and demanded answers from the Sri Lankan government regarding their whereabouts.

Kilinochchi protestors demand information on their missing loved ones

Feb 4, 2016

Protestors in Kilinochchi joined others across the North-East on Thursday, demanding the Sri Lankan government reveal the whereabouts of their missing relatives.

Taking place as the Sri Lankan government held a military parade to celebrate Independence Day, Tamils in Kilinochchi joined others across the North-East in protest.

Sri Lankan president ‘determined to face UN resolution to protect pride of armed forces’

Feb 3, 2016

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena declared his government was “determined to face” a UN Human Rights Council resolution in order to protect the “pride and dignity” of the armed forces.

Protest against UN Human Rights chief planned in Sri Lanka

Feb 3, 2016
A protest is set to take place against UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein as he visits the island later this week.

Posters have appeared calling on protestors to gather at Lipton Circus in Colombo on Saturday, when UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein lands on the island.

The High Commissioner will be holding talks with government officials and will visit Jaffna, where he will speak with Tamil representatives during his visit.

Former Sri Lankan president and Buddhist monks decry ‘Tamil national anthem’

Feb 3, 2016
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa slammed attempts to sing the ‘Sri Lankan national anthem’ in Tamil, stating that it was part of an attempt to appease the Indian government.

Mr Rajapaksa added that he would be boycotting the ‘Independence Day’ commemorations in Colombo, alongside members of the joint opposition.

The former president was joined by the chief Buddhist monk of the Malwatte Chapter, who also spoke out against singing the song in Tamil.

Black flags raised in Jaffna to mark Sri Lankan Independence Day

Feb 3, 2016

Black flags were hoisted at Jaffna University to mark Sri Lankan Independence Day today, as a symbol of protest against the ongoing repression in the Tamil homeland.

Tamil families of the disappeared in Mullaitivu mark independence day with protest

Feb 3, 2016
Tamil families of the disappeared held a protest in Mullaitivu to mark Sri Lanka’s independence day.
Photograph: Tamil Guardian

Marching from the Mullaitivu people’s bank to the Mullaitivu district secretariat, the protestors chanted slogans condemning the island’s celebration of independence day whilst Tamils were yet to obtain their freedom.

Sri Lanka's president receives death threats in light of BBS arrest

Feb 3, 2016
Sri Lanka’s CID has launched an investigation into death threats aimed at Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena said police on Thursday.

The Police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara said that the number of messages had increased in the wake of the arrest of Bodu Bala Sena leader Gnanasara Thera.

The Police spokesman told press that “the presidential secretariat has complained to the police about this matter and the investigations have been now handed over to the CID.”

Families of the disappeared mark Independence day with protest in Batticaloa

Feb 3, 2016
As part of protests that took place across the Tamil North-East to coincide with Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, families of the disappeared in Batticaloa took to the streets demanding answers from the Sri Lankan state.
 
Banners questioned which communities actually experienced freedom in Sri Lanka.
Tamils in Amparai mark Independence Day with protest for the disappeared
Kilinochchi protestors demand information on their missing loved ones
Sri Lankan president ‘determined to face UN resolution to protect pride of armed forces’
Protest against UN Human Rights chief planned in Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan president and Buddhist monks decry ‘Tamil national anthem’
Black flags raised in Jaffna to mark Sri Lankan Independence Day
Tamil families of the disappeared in Mullaitivu mark independence day with protest
Sri Lanka's president receives death threats in light of BBS arrest
Families of the disappeared mark Independence day with protest in Batticaloa
TNA welcomes singing of Sri Lanka's national anthem in Tamil
Tamils in Amparai mark Independence Day with protest for the disappeared
Kilinochchi protestors demand information on their missing loved ones
Sri Lankan president ‘determined to face UN resolution to protect pride of armed forces’
Protest against UN Human Rights chief planned in Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan president and Buddhist monks decry ‘Tamil national anthem’
Black flags raised in Jaffna to mark Sri Lankan Independence Day
Tamil families of the disappeared in Mullaitivu mark independence day with protest
Sri Lanka's president receives death threats in light of BBS arrest
Families of the disappeared mark Independence day with protest in Batticaloa
TNA welcomes singing of Sri Lanka's national anthem in Tamil