The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) pledged to call for a political solution that ensures self-rule for Tamils and Muslims living in the North-East, and called for action regarding the socio-economic, educational and cultural needs of the Tamil people, in 32 declarations made at the party's May Day event on Monday. "While chauvinist forces are working within the state's agenda to erase a nation's identity, we will mobilise and strongly call for the international community to recognise a political solution that establishes self-rule for Tamils and Muslims living in their lands in the North and East of the island of Sri Lanka, using diplomatic and strategic approaches with regards to the support and opportunities that are arising within the international community to investigate war crimes and find a solution to the ethnic conflict which remains unresolved," the TNA pledged. Below is a translation of key resolutions published by the Uthayan : "Jobs opportunities should be given to those who are unemployed, as well as guaranteeing employment appropriate to university qualifications. Land belonging to Tamils and Muslims in the Northern and Eastern provinces, including temples, schools, public buildings, properties, should be freed from the military's possession.
The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) pledged to work to " ensure an independent, respectful and peaceful life for the Tamil people, with the right to self-determination" and towards the party's political goal of "two nations one country", in series of 8 declaration made on May Day at the TNPF rally in Karaveddy . See here for TNPF's statement in Tamil, the declarations have been translated below: 1. We will voice for the rights of Tamil workers, labourers and fisherpeople who are simultaneously facing racial discrimination and class oppression. 2. We will establish and take forward political, economic, and socio-cultural policies based on the benefit/good of the Tamil nation. 3. We will fight against the planned land grabs. 4. We will fight together to ensure an independent international investigation into the genocide of the Tamil people takes place.
Four Tamil students have been arrested by police in Eastern University in Batticaloa, after defying a suspension and entering into the grounds of the University yesterday, reports Uthayan . Eastern University's Vanthaarumoolai campus, has been the focus of protests and repeated closures, following an attack on Tamil students at a birthday party by Sinhala students, which left 7 Tamil students injured. (See here for more on TamilNet). The arrest of the four students yesterday, all members of the Student Union, comes after students of the Union protested against the attempted reopening of the...
A youth was attacked last night by 12 men using a sword, the Uthayan reported. The 24 year old youth, identified as Uthayakumaaran Kumaaran, has been admitted to Jaffna hospital, with severe injuries. Kodikamam police force are reportedly investigating the attack.
Sri Lanka described a visit by a delegation from China as "high successful", following the 9th round of bilateral consultations between the two countries. The event, co-chaired by Kshenuka Senewiratne, Secretary at Sri Lanka's Ministry of External Affairs and Liu Zhenmin, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, took place on 29 April. "The multi-dimensional and deep-rooted bilateral partnership between the two countries was extensively reviewed during the consultations with special focus on extending the scope for cooperation for mutual benefit," said the Sri...
Photographs News.lk Fifty-four asylum seekers, including 13 children, attempting to flee on board a trawler, were detained by the Sri Lankan navy yesterday, off the coast of Mullaitivu. Thirteen children, 11 women and 30 men have been arrested, and handed over CID officers at Trincomalee harbour, reported the government's news portal .
Photographs Colombo Telegraph UNP MPs and supporters called for democracy, protesting against police inaction over the alleged assault of UNP MPs demonstrating outside Hambantota police station on April 17. "We want democracy", "We want rule of law", "we want an independent police service" read placards in English and Sinhala. "[The] recent incident was not just an attack on a group of UNP MPs but was a serious blow to democracy in the country," acting UNP leader Karu Jayasuriya was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror . Former UNP leader and Hambantota District MP, Sajith Premadasa, and MP...
TNA rally at Chavakachcheri. Photograph @uthayarasashali The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called for an end to Sri Lankan state oppression, and for the Tamil people's right to self-determination, in a series of events across the North-East yesterday marking May Day.
Photographs @TNPForg The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) marched against all forms of oppression inflicted on the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan stated, and called for the Tamil people's freedom from the Sri Lankan state at its May Day rally yesterday in Karaveddy.
Photograph DailyNews.lk In a defiant speech as crowds gathered for the ruling UPFA May Day rally, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said "we are unbowed", pledging to resist any foreign force trying to change the government, as S ri Lanka's political parties, marked May Day yesterday.