Jayalalithaa looks forward to ‘meaningful cooperation’ with Modi

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms Jayalalithaa congratulated Narendra Modi for his “magnificent victory” in the Indian elections, reported The Hindu . “I congratulate you on the magnificent victory in the 16th Lok Sabha Elections. I wish you and the Government under your stewardship the very best...,” she said in a letter to Modi, adding, that she looked forward “to an era of meaningful co-operation” between the government of Tamil Nadu and Delhi. Jayalalithaa's party, AIADMK, also secured a sweeping victory, winning 37 of the 39 seats and emerging as third largest party in the Lok Sabha...

Senior Chinese military delegation meets with Mahinda Rajapaksa

Pictures: news.lk The most senior military delegation from China to have ever visited Sri Lanka called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier today. Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Air Chief Marshal Xu Qiliang said that the purpose of the visit was to further enhance the “strategic mutual trust” between China and Sri Lanka and to elevate “relations between the two countries and the armed forces to a new level.” Mr Xu said Sri Lanka’s military was “well-trained and well-managed,” and that the military relationship between the two countries was “a priority”. “We all know that Your Excellency is a legendary statesman with outstanding leadership,” Mr. Xu said. “You’re a great hero for defeating terrorism. We admire your success of defeating the LTTE and the rapid (post-war) reconstruction. Within a short period of five years after the war [ended], people are now living a peaceful life. People are enjoying their peaceful lives, the stability and development. It is a great achievement.” President Rajapaksa said that that Sri Lanka’s support of China in matters such as the One-China Policy and the South China Sea issue will remain the same. “I assure you our policies towards China have never changed and won’t change. Our position is very clear,” he said. “We must thank your Government and your people for supporting us at the UN Human Rights Council,” the President said.

New report details 'White Flag' cases of LTTE surrendees found dead or still missing

New photograph of Isaipriya published in report. A new report details cases, testimonies and new photograph evidence of LTTE cadres who surrendered at the end of the armed conflict, and were later found dead or remain missing. The report, "5 years on: The White Flag Incident 2009-2014 ", published by 'STOP' part of the International Truth and Justice Project - Sri Lanka, includes new photographic evidence of the LTTE news anchor, Isaipriya, alive in Army custody, as well as the LTTE commander, Col. Vasanthan. See here for full report, extract follows: "Eyewitnesses say it was not just the LTTE political wing leaders who were targeted, but at least 102 administrative, financial, political, humanitarian leaders of the LTTE, in addition to unarmed military wing cadres and non-combatants such as children who also surrendered later the same day. There were also other LTTE figures who surrendered in the days before and after 18 May who have disappeared or been killed in the custody of the Sri Lankan security forces It appears to have been part of a coldblooded plan to wipe out any future Tamil representatives.

TNPF: 'We have the right to remember our people'

May 18th is a day that marks the genocide of the Tamil people, said the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), criticising the government's ban on remembrance events. "We have the right to remember our people who were killed in their masses," said the TNPF, declaring the day as a Genocide Day. "May 18th when the war came to an end through a genocide is a black day in a the Tamil people’s history. It cannot be forgotten." The Sri Lankan military ordered that no public events to commemorate the dead should take place, and those that defied the ban would be arrested.

Canadian High Commissioner boycotts 'Victory Day' parade

The Canadian High Commissioner to Colombo will not be attending the Sri Lankan government's 'Victory Day' parade on May 18th, stating that such events prevent moves towards reconciliation. "Canada has encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to retire its annual Victory Day Parade, which perpetuates roles of victors and vanquished within the country, for a day of remembrance for all those who suffered as a result of the conflict," the Canadian envoy, Shelley Whiting, wrote in a statement to the Island . "Indeed, Sri Lanka’s own homegrown Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report recommends that a solemn day of remembrance for all victims of the war would be more conducive to sustaining peace here. Such a gesture would go a long way towards putting wartime posturing behind Sri Lanka," she added. The Sri Lankan government's 'Victory Parade', a celebration of military strength to coincide with the end of the armed conflict, is to take place in Matara. Last week, the military issued a ban in the North, against public remembrance events for Tamils killed. Posters that went up in Jaffna University, warned those attempting to commemorate the deaths would face arrest.

Police disrupts Mullivaikkal memorial event at NPC office

Updated 22:13 BST Sri Lankan police officers forcibly disrupted a remembrance event today held outside the office of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) in Kaithady, Jaffna , kicking and stamping out a flame of remembrance lit to commemorate the thousands killed in Mullivaikkal 5 years ago, whilst shouting in Sinhala. NPC Councillors, Ananthy Sasitharan and Mr. Shivajilingham were holding the commemorative event just outside the office premises, as the gates were padlocked with security forces surrounding the area. Mr. Shivajilingham was in the process of lighting the flame, when police officers rushed in, throwing the lamp to the ground. Video courtesy of Aayutha Elutthu

Wigneswaran welcomes Modi's win, urges justice for Tamils in Sri Lanka

The Northern Province's Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran congratulated India's Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi on his "historic win", calling on him to ensure justice and a political solution for Tamils in Sri Lanka. "The Tamil people of Sri Lanka hoped that his government would be actively engaged with the country, helping them achieve a lasting political solution," Chief Minister Wigneswaran, was quoted by The Hindu as saying. “I hope that your government will have a constructive approach in its policy [with its neighbour] to ensure justice for the Sri Lankan Tamils,” he added.

Government to launch Buddhist leadership programme in schools

The Sri Lankan government is to launch a Buddhist leadership programme in secondary schools across the island later this year, the Colombo Page reported. The programme, the brain child of the Buddha Sasana Ministry, has reportedly been approved by President Rajapaksa, and is intended to "create a Buddhist renaissance amongst Buddhist school going youth".

Rajapaksa 'not attending' Commonwealth Games – report

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is not planning to attend the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer, according to a report on the insidethegames website. The website says a “potentially harmful diplomatic challenge” for the games will likely be avoided if Rajapaksa stays away, after letters expressing concern about the Sri Lankan president’s visit were sent to Foreign Secretary by the shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander and the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam. The article further said that Rajapaksa’s absence “would surely be a relief to [the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth], and would be one thing less to worry about ahead of the Games, set to begin on July 23”.

India extends ban on LTTE

India’s Union Ministry this week extended the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has been extended for another five years. “The Government of India, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, has proscribed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as an ‘Unlawful Association’. The declaration of LTTE as an ‘Unlawful Association’ has been extended for a further period of five years with effect from May 14, 2014,” said a notification made public on Thursday. The proscription of the LTTE was last extended in 2012. The notification in 2012 said that the LTTE continued to be working towards “the Eelam cause” and that the government has information that “the activities of the LTTE remnant cadres, dropouts, sympathisers, supporters who have been traced out recently in the State of Tamil Nadu suggest that the cadres sent to Tamil Nadu would ultimately be utilised by the LTTE for unlawful activities”, The Hindu reported.

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