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…

Sri Lanka falling short of anti-corruption promises says Transparency International

Jan 26, 2016
Transparency International said that Sri Lankan leaders were falling short of their bold promises to reduce corruption, reports Colombo Page.

The organisations report, released in Berlin on Wednesday, found Sri Lanka to rank 83rd out of 175 countries in the corruption index.

In a press release the organisation said the desire for change was huge, noting a host of governments in India and Sri Lanka that came to power on a platform of anti-corruption.

Sri Lanka scored 37 points, which was a point lower than it scored in the previous year.

IFJ calls for action against monks disrupting court proceedings in Sri Lanka

Jan 26, 2016
The International Federation of Journalists along with the Free Media Movement (FMM) condemned the actions by the leader of the Bodu Bala Sena for disrupting court proceedings against persons accused of abducting journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

The IFJ called on courts and authorities to take action against any persons who attempt to disrupt proceedings, in a statement made on Wednesday.

The leader of the BBS Galagadaaththe Gnanasara has been remanded for disrupting court proceedings, after being temporarily arrested.

Foreign judges needed for credibility says US Ambassador

Jan 25, 2016

The credibility of any accountability mechanism in Sri Lanka requires the involvement of foreign judges, said the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In a tweet posted on Monday, Mr Harper said:

"For #SriLanka – credibility of any accountability mechanism requires the involvement of foreign judges etc."

“That has and will not change,” he added.

Six year old Tamil boy raped and murdered in Sampur - TamilNet

Jan 25, 2016

The body of a 6 year old Tamil boy who was raped and murdered, was found dumped in an abandoned well in Sampur on Tuesday, reports TamilNet.

Missing and disappeared persons most likely dead says Sri Lanka prime minister

Jan 25, 2016

Those that surrendered at the end of the war and are still missing in Sri Lanka are ‘most probably dead’ said Sri Lanka’s prime minister Ranil Wickrememsinghe in an interview with Channel 4 News.

Mr Wickremesinghe went on to dispute UN estimates that 40,000 civilian deaths saying that a further investigation would be required.

Sri Lankan military occupies 40% land in Kilinochchi says TNA MP

Jan 25, 2016
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP S Sritharan said the Sri Lankan military still occupies 40% of land in Kilinochchi, reported the Daily Mirror.

"If the lands under the army are redeemed, then a permanent block of land could be obtained for the education office. This would be discussed with the government and steps would be taken," he added.

Earlier this week Mr Sritharan visited the village of Vaddakkachchi in the district together with the TNA leader R Sampanthan.

Unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation says Jon Snow

Jan 25, 2016
Seven years after the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation plague the North-East, said the UK Channel 4 news anchor, Jon Snow, currently visiting the island.

"Seven years after the war’s end, to establish any formal or credible investigation into the multiple human rights abuses, and allegations of war crimes, first reported by Channel 4 News, during the war rankles hard with the Tamils. They are also angered by the continued failure to do anything at all about “the disappeared.” This continues to cause widespread grief and upset," Mr Snow wrote, adding "we have seen too many tears this week."

"The army is everywhere, having seized tens of thousands of acres of land. They have also infiltrated the shops, taking over many businesses. The country’s second most important fishing harbour Myliddy, is in the hands of the military."

Tamil Nadu trade delegation to visit Jaffna

Jan 25, 2016
A Tamil Nadu trade delegation, including 55 members from the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry will be visit the North-East this week and take part in the Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF 2016).

The delegation was invited to take part in the Jaffna trade fair by the chief minister of the northern province, C V Wigneswaran. They are also invited to take part in the Invest in the East in 2016 trade fair by the Eastern Province's chief minister, Nazeer Ahamed.

The delegation will be touring the island, with a focus on the North-East from January 27 to February 2, reported ToI.

India has an 'abiding interest' in Sri Lanka's security says envoy

Jan 25, 2016
The Indian envoy, Y K Sinha on Tuesday said the country had an "abiding interest" in Sri Lanka's security.

Stating that Sri Lanka was a key part of India's "neighbourhood first" policy, Mr Sinha, who was speaking at an event to mark India's 67th Republic Day in Colombo, said India was keen to strengthen economic and commercial ties with Sri Lanka.

India's housing scheme was on track, Mr Sinha said with 44,000 of the 50,000 pledged houses constructed.

Buddhist monks protest and threaten to self-immolate after BBS leader temporarily arrested

Jan 25, 2016
Buddhist monks protested against the temporary arrest of the leader of the Bodu Bala Sena on Tuesday morning.

Monks surrounded the Homagama Magistrate Court which released Galagadaaththe Gnanasara Thero on remand until February 9.

Riot police was deployed as three monks threated to self-immolate during the protests, reports Colombo Page.

The Buddhist monk faces charges of obstructing court proceedings and threatening public officials.
IFJ calls for action against monks disrupting court proceedings in Sri Lanka
Foreign judges needed for credibility says US Ambassador
Six year old Tamil boy raped and murdered in Sampur - TamilNet
Missing and disappeared persons most likely dead says Sri Lanka prime minister
Sri Lankan military occupies 40% land in Kilinochchi says TNA MP
Unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation says Jon Snow
Tamil Nadu trade delegation to visit Jaffna
India has an 'abiding interest' in Sri Lanka's security says envoy
Buddhist monks protest and threaten to self-immolate after BBS leader temporarily arrested
Investigations against 'war heroes' will never take place states Sri Lankan president
IFJ calls for action against monks disrupting court proceedings in Sri Lanka
Foreign judges needed for credibility says US Ambassador
Six year old Tamil boy raped and murdered in Sampur - TamilNet
Missing and disappeared persons most likely dead says Sri Lanka prime minister
Sri Lankan military occupies 40% land in Kilinochchi says TNA MP
Unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation says Jon Snow
Tamil Nadu trade delegation to visit Jaffna
India has an 'abiding interest' in Sri Lanka's security says envoy
Buddhist monks protest and threaten to self-immolate after BBS leader temporarily arrested
Investigations against 'war heroes' will never take place states Sri Lankan president