Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

Mahinda pledges to continue

Mahinda Rajapaksa has pledged to continue to engage in Sri Lankan politics, in a statement released on Wednesday.

The former president, who was defeated in this week's parliamentary elections, said he "humbly accepts" the results of the poll.

UK will remain a partner in delivering reconciliation and lasting peace in Sri Lanka says Foreign Secretary

The UK will remain committed to delivering reconciliation and peace across Sri Lanka said the British Foreign Secretary whilst congratulating Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as prime minister.

The Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, in a statement made on Wednesday, said, 

UN Sec-Gen urges Sri Lanka’s new government to make further progress on accountability and reconciliation

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, welcoming "peaceful elections" called on Sri Lanka’s new government to “make further progress” on issues of accountability and reconciliation.

In a statement released on Tuesday the Secretary general said,

Sri Lanka's new parliament must find solution to 'long-pending demands' of Tamils says DMK Chief

The head of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu urged Sri Lanka’s newly elected parliament to find a permanent solution to the issues faced by Tamils on the island, reports Times of India.

Noting that the 16 seats secured by the Tamil National Alliance would be influential in Sri Lanka’s parliament, M Karunanudhi, said,

US looks forward to working with new government

The US State Department spokesperson John Kirby, welcomed Sri Lanka’s new parliament  and commended Sri Lanka’s peaceful parliamentary elections.

In a press briefing on Tuesday Mr Kirby, said,


“The United States looks forward to working with President Sirisiena, the prime minister, and the new government.”

Economic policy and stability of Sri Lanka's coalition remain unclear - Fitch Ratings

Fitch Ratings, a global economic rating agency, called on Sri Lanka’s new government to offer greater clarity over its economic policy on Wednesday.

Commenting on the election of a new government, the Fitch Ratings press release said,

“The establishment of a new government with a clear electoral mandate following parliamentary elections on 17 August, should mitigate some political uncertainty, though the direction of economic policy and the stability of the likely coalition remain unclear.”

Sri Lanka to seek full currency exchange liberation

The governor of Sri Lanka’s Central bank, Arjuna Mahendran, told the Financial Times that he would double foreign exchange reserves as the first step towards full currency liberation.

Labelling existing restrictions on the Sri Lankan rupee as “draconian” Mr Mahendran said the new government would seek to implement new legislation that looked to “slash” exchange controls via new legislation.

Speaking to the Financial Times Mr Mahendran said,

We should work together as sons and daughters of the motherland' says Ranil

The leader of the United National Party, which won Sri Lanka's general election on Monday, urged that the country works together as "sons and daughters of the motherland", with no division as winners and losers.

"The majority of the people of this country have approved the continuance of good governance and consensual politics endorsed by the people through the silent revolution of 8th of January," Mr Wickremasinghe said in a special announcement issued on Tuesday.

China says 'ready to work with Sri Lanka'

Congratulating Sri Lanka's new prime minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe on his party's election victory, China said "it stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to consolidate the traditional friendship, strengthen mutually-beneficial cooperation, and elevate China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperation partnership to a new level."

"We want to express our congratulations. We believe that under the leadership of the new government, Sri Lanka will achieve greater progress in its economic and social development," China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying was quoted by Colombo Page as saying.

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka rejects torture report

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has rejected a report by UK based charity Freedom From Torture, which detailed cases of torture that continues under the present Sri Lankan government.

“We cannot accept such claims,” said the Legal Secretary and Media Spokesman of the HRCSL Nimal Punchihewa.

“HRCSL officials visit Sri Lankan prisons on regular basis but no incident of torture has been reported and we have not received any complaints,” he added.

He went on to tell The Sunday Leader that HRCSL officials visit prisons once a month and denied they had received complaints of torture. He also denied arrests were continuing to take place under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.