Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka claims commitment to repeal PTA in talks with EU 
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,…

Body found washed up in Mannar

Sep 2, 2014
A dead body has been found washed up on the beach in Mannar, reported Uthayan on Wednesday.

The body, found in a severely decomposed state, was spotted by fishermen who informed the police. It is yet to be identified.

Mannar police are reportedly investigating the death.


Nigerian army delegation in Sri Lanka

Sep 2, 2014

A delegation from the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday to explore the country’s welfare system for its military.

The 11-member delegation, headed by Air Vice Marshal M.R Morgan of the Nigerian Air Force met with the Sri Lankan army chief Lt Gen Daya Ratnayake and discussed how the army’s welfare model is employed for the soldiers’ benefit, reported the army website.

Tamils worried about Sinhala settlements – EPRLF leader

Sep 2, 2014

The ‘cantonment system’ introduced by the Sri Lankan Army in the Tamil-speaking Northeast of the island has prompted fears amongst the Tamil population about Sinhala settlements, the leader of the Eelam Peoples’ Revolutionary Liberation Front said on Tuesday, The Hindu reported.

Former soldier self-immolates outside US Embassy in protest of UN actions

Sep 2, 2014
A former Sri Lankan soldier, who attempted to self-immolate, outside the US Embassy in Colombo, in protest against the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, died of his injuries on Wednesday.

The former soldier had said that he was Navi Pillay’s actions against Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Gazette.

Commenting on the death the Police spokesman, Ajith Rohana, said,

Sri Lanka enhances benefits for retired soldiers

Sep 2, 2014
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence (MoD), on Wednesday, announced a new scheme that looks to benefit retired soldiers.

The MoD spokesperson, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, addressing a weekly media brief, said that the extra benefits had been given to the retired soldiers after “considering the immense contribution and sacrifice they have made during the Humanitarian operation.”
 

Dead body of man found in Batticaloa

Sep 1, 2014
The body of a 39 year-old man has been found near Kalladi Bridge in Batticaloa earlier today, reports Batti News.

The body was recovered by Batticaloa police and the man has been identified as father-of-one Kantharasa Beeminthan from Batticaloa Pillaiyaradi.

Beeminthan's wife has been admitted into Batticaloa Teaching Hospital after she fell unconscious when she saw his body. His relatives expressed concern that he may have committed suicide, noting that he had been missing from last night.

Sri Lankan court allows deportation of Pakistani asylum seekers

Sep 1, 2014
A Sri Lankan court has lifted the ban on the deportation of asylum seekers from Pakistan, after Sri Lanka's Deputy Solicitor General warned the refugees were a threat to national security and were at risk of bringing malaria into the island.

Sri Lanka had temporarily halted the deportations, after a petitioner told the court they had fled persecution from Pakistani authorities, who were abusing Christians and Shia Muslims in the Ahamandi region.

However, Sri Lanka's Deputy Solicitor General Janaka de Silva successfully argued in the Colombo-based court, that the asylum seekers were not only committing crimes on their arrival to the island, but were also at risk of spreading malaria to the population.

Sri Lanka hopes new Human Rights chief will be 'more balanced'

Sep 1, 2014
Sri Lanka hopes that the new UN High Commissioner for human rights, Prince Zeid of Jordan, would be "more balanced" than Navi Pillay, the government spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella, said.

"The government hopes the new Human Rights Chief will take note of the concerns Sri Lanka had with the outgoing Commissioner and carry out his duties in an unbiased manner," Rambukwella reportedly told journalists at Kandy on Monday.

Thai refugee detention centres 'brutal' for children says HRW

Sep 1, 2014
Detention facilities in Thailand for refugees are "no place for children", said the New York based rights organisation, Human Rights Watch, in a report - 'Two Years with No Moon' - published Monday.

Condemning Thailand's arbitrary detention of thousands of children in overcrowded and dangerous conditions as "brutal", HRW called on Thailand to "immediately cease detention of children for reasons of their immigration status".

The facilities, which predominantly house Rohingya asylum seekers, also include over 2000 refugees who have fled non-neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka.

"Thailand’s use of immigration detention violates children’s rights, immediately risks their health and wellbeing, and imperils their development. Wretched conditions place children in filthy, overcrowded cells without adequate nutrition, education, or exercise space. Prolonged detention deprives children of the capacity to mentally and physically grow and thrive," HRW said.

SLFP is the only party that can guarantee the freedom of Sri Lanka says President

Sep 1, 2014
The Sri Lankan President on Tuesday said only the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) could free the country as it was created to establish national freedom and protect national heritage, reports Colombo Page.

Addressing crowds gathered to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the SLFP, Mahinda Rajapaksa said the party had “historic heritage” from the Uva province where battles were fought for “freedom of the country” and deemed the party as the only way to “consolidate freedom for the whole nation.”
Nigerian army delegation in Sri Lanka
Tamils worried about Sinhala settlements – EPRLF leader
Former soldier self-immolates outside US Embassy in protest of UN actions
Sri Lanka enhances benefits for retired soldiers
Dead body of man found in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan court allows deportation of Pakistani asylum seekers
Sri Lanka hopes new Human Rights chief will be 'more balanced'
Thai refugee detention centres 'brutal' for children says HRW
SLFP is the only party that can guarantee the freedom of Sri Lanka says President
Mullaitivu family intimidated after British High Commissioner visit
Nigerian army delegation in Sri Lanka
Tamils worried about Sinhala settlements – EPRLF leader
Former soldier self-immolates outside US Embassy in protest of UN actions
Sri Lanka enhances benefits for retired soldiers
Dead body of man found in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan court allows deportation of Pakistani asylum seekers
Sri Lanka hopes new Human Rights chief will be 'more balanced'
Thai refugee detention centres 'brutal' for children says HRW
SLFP is the only party that can guarantee the freedom of Sri Lanka says President
Mullaitivu family intimidated after British High Commissioner visit