Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka claimed it is committed to repealing the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), during the latest round of human rights discussions with the European Union, a move tied to its continued access to preferential trade benefits under the GSP+ scheme. At the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission,…

Woman's body found washed up in Jaffna

The body of a 35 year old woman was found washed up in Saatti, Jaffna district during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The police are yet to identify the body, reports Uthayan. Further investigations are reportedly being carried out by Jaffna police.

Norochcholai should not end up in foreign hands – Minister

Sri Lanka’s energy minister has warned against transferring ownership of public ventures to foreigners, saying that this could pave the way for a change in regime on the island.

Science, Technology and Atomic Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said there were talks that the power plant in Norochcholai, which has been beset by breakdowns, may be handed over to China.

"The Norochcholai plant can fulfil 60 percent of the total energy requirements of Sri Lanka. Therefore, it should not end up in the hands of foreigners," he said.

Sri Lankan navy chief meets US counterpart

(Picture: defence.lk)

The head of Sri Lanka’s navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera met with the Chief of Naval Operations of the US navy, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, during a visit to the US.

Perera is in the country to attend the 21st International Sea Power Symposium (ISS) at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, which this year is being held under the theme of "Global Solutions to Common Maritime Challenges".

Sri Lanka to establish trade commission with Russia

The Sri Lankan government received approval today to establish a joint commission with Russia.

The establishment of an “Inter-governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation” with was proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and approved by the Sri Lankan cabinet on Thursday, reports Colombo Page.

Figures suggest that trade between Sri Lanka and Russia has increased over the last decade.

Atrocities could have been prevented by international community says US

The United States (US) said that recent atrocities could have been prevented and tens of thousands of lives saved, if the international community had responded earlier - including in the case of Sri Lanka.

In a statement that was due to be delivered at the United Nations Human Rights Council panel discussion on the role of prevention in the promotion on human rights, the US said,
“A most troubling aspect of recent atrocities is the concern that they could have been prevented had the international community responded earlier and more appropriately.”

“Tens of thousands of lives could have been saved. The future of whole ethnic groups, states, societies, indeed the world, could have been transformed for the better.”

Through reflection on those failures to act – Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur, Sri Lanka, Syria – we appreciate the vital role that prevention plays in the promotion and protection of human rights.”

Thousands of Indian fishermen launch hunger strike protest against Sri Lankan Navy

Almost 3,000 Indian fishermen and their family members have commenced a hunger strike demanding the Sri Lankan Navy release Tamil Nadu fishermen that they arrested earlier this month.

Fishermen from across 63 different hamlets in the Nagapattinam district joined the fast, which they said will carry on until the detained fishermen are released.

The fishermen were held during various incidents in the last month, with dozens being arrested.

French Embassy will ensure ‘justice is served’ for ACF murders

The French Embassy in Sri Lanka stated it would continue to closely follow the case of 17 aid workers, who were shot dead by Sri Lankan security forces, in order to ensure that justice is served for the killings.

Stating that “the Embassy will continue to pay close attention to developments in this case to ensure justice is served,” it went on to add,

“The French Embassy has reminded the Attorney General that the protection of witnesses was a prerequisite in the course of the investigation and that all methods used during the investigation must serve the sole objective of bringing to justice those responsible for the massacre of 17 aid workers of ACF.”

The 17 Action Contre la Faim (ACF) workers, mostly Tamils, were lined up and summarily executed on 4th August 2006 in Muttur, Trincomalee. The charity stated Sri Lankan security forces were responsible for the massacre.

Over 50,000 Tamils unable to vote in Uva province

Over 50,000 upcountry Tamils will be unable to vote at the Uva Provincial Council election, in the island's south, as their employers have refused to grant them leave in order for them to cast their vote, reports Colombo Page.

The Tamils, employed in the private sector in other parts of the island such as Jaffna, Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, will not be able to return to the Uva province, in order to cast their vote.

Film producers deny links to Rajapaksa amid boycott calls in Tamil Nadu

The producers of 'Kaththi', Lyca productions, held a press conference on Tuesday, denying any links to the Rajapaksa regime amid calls to boycott from students in Tamil Nadu.

Academics condemn Sydney Uni's acquiescence of Sri Lanka's demands

Academics in Australia condemned the University of Sydney's decision to acquiesce to the Sri Lankan military's demands to withdraw invitations to NGOs known to be critical of the state for a conference hosted along side the University of Colombo this week in Bangkok.

In a letter to Dr Daniella Celermajer at Sydney University, a group of lecturers and academics said her decision to withdraw invitations "threatens to bring the University of Sydney's commitment to and connection with human rights into disrepute," reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

"[The conference is at] serious risk of providing the appearance of human rights cover to a brutal regime that continues to perpetrate gross violations and is going to great lengths to silence critical voices both within Sri Lanka and in the international community".