Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lankan prime minister doubles down on support for OMP 
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has reiterated her government’s commitment to the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), despite widespread rejection of such domestic mechanisms by victims' families and Tamil civil society. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday in response to a question raised by Ilankai Tamil Arasu katchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Amarasuriya claimed the…

UNP leader seeks support from Fonseka

Oct 8, 2014
The leader of the opposition United National Party (UNP) has sought support from the former army general Sarath Fonseka over the forthcoming presidential election.

Ranil Wickremasinghe met with him and asked for the Democratic Party's support for the election, Fonseka told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

Self-determination a necessity to address systemic violations against Tamils – BTF

Oct 8, 2014
The right to self-determination, outlined in Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), must be acknowledged to address the systemic violation of Tamils in the North-East said the British Tamils Forum commenting on its involvement in the review of Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Committee.

Commenting on the importance to use all avenues in the UN to pressure Sri Lanka, the BTF human rights co-ordinator, Sowjeya Joseph, said,
“While the OISL investigation is present and the efforts to facilitate submissions are ongoing, however, it is of utmost importance, in a time where the Sri Lankan State is under extreme pressure and is in the focal point of the international community, to engage with all possible UN Human Rights mechanisms in order to force the Sri Lankan State to comply with human rights and to establish the case of violation of collective rights.”
Speaking to Tamil Guardian after the Human Rights Committee review of Sri Lanka in Geneva, Joseph, added,

Review of Sri Lanka's adherence to human rights treaty continues in Geneva today

Oct 7, 2014
11:03 CEST

Photograph Tamil Guardian

Sri Lanka's record on its adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is being reviewed in Geneva today.

On the first day of the review, Sri Lanka faced tough questions from the Human Rights Committee's experts, including on militarisation in the Tamil areas, the use of the PTA on Tamil rights activists, sexual violence against Tamil women and the ongoing intimidation of former LTTE cadres.

Find more on yesterday's events here: Sri Lanka faces tough questions from UN Human Rights Committee

See also: Sri Lanka's actions aimed at suppressing Tamil self-determination says Tamil Civil Society Forum at ICCPR.

Sri Lanka is currently responding to questions posed.

View events live on webcast or follow us on Twitter - @TamilGuardian - for live coverage of events which are currently underway.

UK strongly supports the international inquiry reiterates FCO minister, meeting with Tamil diaspora

Oct 7, 2014
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister of State, Hugo Swire reiterated the UK's strong support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL) during a meeting with representatives of Tamil diaspora organisations on Tuesday in London.

"Mr Swire held a meeting with members of the Tamil community following a number of requests in order to discuss developments on Sri Lanka and the human rights situation there. During the meeting, Mr Swire reiterated the UK’s strong support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL)," a spokesperson for the FCO told the Tamil Guardian.

"We are disappointed at the position the Sri Lankan government has so far chosen to adopt in regards to the UN Human Rights Council mandated investigation," the spokesperson said, adding that the UK would "continue to strongly support the renewed resolution agreed at the March UN Human Rights Council, and continue to call upon the Sri Lankan government to both co-operate with the investigation and make progress on human rights and reconciliation."

Sri Lankan MoD says Tamil asylum seekers faking torture

Oct 7, 2014
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence rejected claims of torture, accusing Tamil refugees of torturing themselves in an effort to claim asylum.

"There are many places where asylum seekers with the advice of Solicitors get themselves scarred and burned," an article posted on Tuesday by the MoD on its official website read, claiming that refugees paid to be burnt with cigarette butts or hot rods.

"The journey in obtaining asylum entails agreement of the following physical tortures: being burnt with cigarette butts, being beaten with hot metal rods, [and] being cut and scarred to show physical torture."

Tamil Nadu concerned at 'new trend' of fishermen detention by SL navy

Oct 7, 2014
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam, expressed concern over what he described as a "new trend" by the Sri Lankan navy whereby Tamil Nadu fishermen who run into mechanical difficulties.

"This new trend of apprehending fishermen in boats that develop mechanical snag by the Sri Lankan Navy is a matter of concern for my government," he said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reports the Business Standard.

Panneerselvam's latest letter follows the detention of four fishermen from Rameswaran on Monday, whose boat ran into difficulty.

"An immediate intervention at the highest level is sought to arrest this new trend," he wrote.

Jeyakumari protest organiser attacked near Nedunkerny army camp

Oct 7, 2014
last updated 14:02 BST 09 Oct


A community leader, who was organising a protest to demand the release of the detained human rights activist, Balendran Jeyakumari, was attacked on Wednesday near by Nedunkerny army camp.

Sixty-one year old Krishnapillai Thevarajah, who is the President of the Vavuniya Citizens Committee, was walking home after chairing a meeting about the protest which is to be held on October 10, when four unidentified men travelling on motorbikes surrounded him, clasped his mouth shut and dragged him to a nearby paddy field.

“On my way home … while I was riding my motorcycle, I was assaulted by four men with iron rods,” Thevarajah told ucanews.

“While they were attacking, they said that there should not be a demonstration,” he said. “The attackers closed my mouth and dragged me to an isolated paddy field near the main road and the intention was to kill me.”


Speaking in broken Tamil the attackers shouted, “So you are organising a protest? You can do that only if you are alive". This was followed with more abusive words, as the attackers beat Mr Thevarajah with iron rods across his arms, legs and head. The rod was deflected by his helmet, with the blows landing on his shoulders instead.

Woman found dead in Batticaloa

Oct 7, 2014
The body of a woman has been discovered in the woods near the Batticaloa Soukaddi Sea area, reported Eastern Province-based news site Batti News.

The body remains unidentified as it is severely decomposed, but it has been approximated to be that of a 30-year-old female.

The discovery was made after locals from the area went to collect firewood.

Bus heading to Colombo stoned in Jaffna

Oct 7, 2014
A bus heading to Colombo was damaged in Jaffna last night, after a group of unidentified people hurled stones at it.

The bus, belonging to the Sri Lankan Transport Board, had its front mirror damaged in the attack. None of the passengers on board at the time were hurt and were boarded on to another bus, which left for Colombo.

Chavakacheri police are reportedly investigating the incident. No arrests have taken place yet, reports Uthayan.

Indian Hindu nationalist group denies link to BBS

Oct 7, 2014
Indian Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) denied claims that it will form an alliance with the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

Bodu Bala Sena's General Secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thero earlier claimed to be in talks with RSS “to form an alliance to have a Buddhist-Hindu Peace Zone in Asia”.

However, RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav denied the claims, telling ucanews.com on Wednesday that he has "no knowledge of any such" initiative.

He went on to add that the claim "seems to be a mischievous statement."

Self-determination a necessity to address systemic violations against Tamils – BTF
Review of Sri Lanka's adherence to human rights treaty continues in Geneva today
UK strongly supports the international inquiry reiterates FCO minister, meeting with Tamil diaspora
Sri Lankan MoD says Tamil asylum seekers faking torture
Tamil Nadu concerned at 'new trend' of fishermen detention by SL navy
Jeyakumari protest organiser attacked near Nedunkerny army camp
Woman found dead in Batticaloa
Bus heading to Colombo stoned in Jaffna
Indian Hindu nationalist group denies link to BBS
Sri Lanka's actions aimed at suppressing Tamil self-determination says Tamil Civil Society Forum at ICCPR
Self-determination a necessity to address systemic violations against Tamils – BTF
Review of Sri Lanka's adherence to human rights treaty continues in Geneva today
UK strongly supports the international inquiry reiterates FCO minister, meeting with Tamil diaspora
Sri Lankan MoD says Tamil asylum seekers faking torture
Tamil Nadu concerned at 'new trend' of fishermen detention by SL navy
Jeyakumari protest organiser attacked near Nedunkerny army camp
Woman found dead in Batticaloa
Bus heading to Colombo stoned in Jaffna
Indian Hindu nationalist group denies link to BBS
Sri Lanka's actions aimed at suppressing Tamil self-determination says Tamil Civil Society Forum at ICCPR