Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamils across the Eastern province served kanji in memory of the Tamils that perished at Mullivaikkal in 2009.  Kanji - a porridge of rice and water - was the only food available during the final months of the armed conflict as the Sri Lankan government had restricted food from entering the Vanni. Tamils in the North-East and the diaspora distribute kanji during Mullivaikkal Remembrance…

Sri Lankan Navy abducted children confirms police spokesperson

Sri Lankan military officials abducted at least 10 wealthy school children from Trincomalee and Colombo during the armed conflict reports Colombo Mirror.

Sri Lanka’s police spokesperson Ajith Rohana, speaking at a press conference in Colombo, said,

“Naval officials and sailors have been found involved in this nine-member team. Former Navy Spokesman Captain DKP Dassanayake has been questioned recently by the CID in this connection. It is now uncovered that he has functioned as the Officer-in charge of this team named -Special Operations Unit- that abducted these children.”

ITAK calls on Sri Lanka's new president to work towards political solution for Tamils

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), passed a resolution urging the government of Sri Lanka to take actions towards a political solution that would be accepted by the Tamil people.

The resolution further called on the government to release land belonging to Tamils and release all detained and missing persons.

A second resolution passed by ITAK, condemned the burning of effigies of TNA MP MA Sumanthiran and leader R Sampanthan, by Tamil demonstrators protesting against enforced disappearances in the North-East.

Protesters reject domestic probe into disappearances for third consecutive day

All photographs: Tamil Guardian


Over 200 protestors gathered outside the Trincomalee Town Divisional Secretariat, in what was a third continuous day of protests rejecting the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons.

Speaking to the Tamil Guardian, a priest that attended the protest said,

“The people have no trust in any domestic inquiry into our missing loved ones. The Presidential Commission has been taking place for over a year with no results for the Tamil people. We are calling for the international community and the United Nations to get involved.

Sri Lanka firm that it can seek accountability on its own, says External Affairs minister

Speaking at the High Level Segment of the opening sessions of the 28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka’s minister of External Affairs said that Sri Lanka should be allowed to work towards accountability and justice on its own.

Addressing the UNHRC high level segment on ‘Strengthening of international Cooperation in the field of Human Rights’ Mangala Samaraweera said,

“We are firm in our belief, that , to be successful, the journey of reconciliation and accountability is one that the people of our country must embark upon, on their own.”

Deeming "the end of terrorism in May 2009," a necessity, Samaraweera said the new government recognised the importance of this opportunity to work on achieving reconciliation.

Recalling a recent visit of a South African delegation to share experiences in Sri Lanka and noting a meeting  he had with the High Commissioner for Human Rights last month,  Samaraweera added that the Sri Lankan government was ready to “engage and work in cooperation with a range of international organisations and countries across the world.”

UN official reassures Wigneswaran OISL report will be released in Sept

The UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, reassured the North's chief minister, C V Wigneswaran during a meeting in Jaffna on Tuesday that the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka would definitely be released in September.

The report, which was due to be publishing this month at the UN Human Rights Council's 28th session, was last month deferred till the 30th session, by member states.

"When I asked what would happen if certain member states try to delay the report [further], he [Mr Feltham] gave me his assurance that it would be published in September," Mr Wigneswaran told reporters following the meeting.

"Importantly, he [Mr Feltham] asked questions about the political situation," Mr Wigneswaran went on to say.

"He asked questions regarding the significance and meaning of bringing a resolution on genocide. In response we replied that this document illustrates the feelings of our people," he said, adding that the government's statement that the military would not be removed from the Tamil areas also caused the Tamil people significant distress.

Human Rights Council played 'indispensable role' in Sri Lanka - US

The US Secretary of State John Kerry said the UN Human Rights Council has made "significant accomplishments" in changing the course of "bad actors", citing the cases of Sri Lanka and Myanmar as successes of the Council's engagement.

"Consider the indispensable role the HRC has played in encouraging leaders to live up to their promises and commitments in countries such as Burma and Sri Lanka, where there are opportunities for real change," Mr Kerry said, listing some achievements of the Human Rights Council.

Sri Lanka should address outstanding human rights issues - Botswana

Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi expressed her country's hope that the new Sri Lankan government would seize the opportunity to make progress and address outstanding human rights issues.

Speaking at the opening day of the 28th session of the Human Rights Council, Ms Venson-Moitoi congratulated Sri Lanka for January's presidential election.

"May I also take this opportunity to congratulate Sri Lanka for their recent Presidential elections, and express our readiness to work with the new Government. An opportunity has arisen for the country to make further progress," she said.

Sri Lanka can show commitment to justice and reconciliation by signing Rome Statute, says Callum Macrae

“The new government has made no real move to show it is an different,” said the director of the No Fire Zone documentary speaking on working towards truth, justice and accountability for Sri Lankan atrocities against Tamil civilians.

Noting that Sri Lanka had been given a further 6 months before the UN report into Sri Lanka’s atrocities was released, Callum Macrae suggested that Sri Lanka should take steps to sign up to the Rome Statute, publish lists of prisoners of war, demilitarise the North and return lands seized from Tamils to show that it was committed to truth, justice, accountability and reconciliation on the island.

Concrete steps to meet Tamil aspirations needed to gain trust, says Bishop of Mannar

The aspirations of the Tamils as a distinct community, that want to govern themselves in their areas of historical habitat and want acknowledgement and accountability for abuses committed against them must be addressed by the Sri Lankan government to resolve the national issue, said the Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph.

Expanding on how to build trust between the Tamil community and the Sri Lankan government, Bishop Joseph, said,

“Concrete actions to address grievances, such as first steps towards addressing the Tamil political question, actions towards releasing political prisoners, handing back land occupied by the military, demilitarisation, finding and acknowledging the truth about the disappeared, these are some actions that will help build trust.”

Surveillance of journalists in North must stop, says international media mission


The international media mission addressing the Jaffna Press Club at the conclusion of their visit. Photograph: Tamil Guardian

There remain “significant challenges” to media freedom in Sri Lanka said an international media mission, who called for the continued surveillance of journalists in the North to cease.

The International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute and International Freedom of Expression Exchange released a joint statement today saying,

“Surveillance, monitoring and following of journalists are incompatible with a free media and the principles of open government that should underpin the 100 day reform process.”