Sri Lanka has banned any activities to commemorate the Tamil fighters that died in the armed conflict. Army spokesperson Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya has said that any attempts to promote or glorify the LTTE, both directly and indirectly, under the guise of media freedom will be punished, in relation to the upcoming Heroes' Day on November 27, when Tamils remember those that gave their lives for the struggle. "Promoting and propagating separatist ideology within Sri Lanka directly or indirectly, even by using media freedom, and attempting to commemorate or glorify terrorists that belonged to...
Responding to questions regarding an earlier statement which urged Sri Lanka to address human rights issues, China today reiterated its acknowledgement of progress in Sri Lanka, despite growing concerns over the deteriorating state of reconciliation and human rights on the island. In an emailed statement, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, claimed that the progress they saw in Sri Lanka meant that there was no change in stance, concluding , “the Sri Lankan people have the wisdom and capacity to deal appropriately with their internal affairs.”
Four years after the end of the armed conflict, Sri Lanka needs more naval assets said the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Addressing the Galle Dialogue 2013 event, and praising the Australian government's contribution to Sri Lanka's naval fleet, he said , “The support of wealthier nations is sought for the procurement of such assets. In this context, I am particularly appreciative of the Australian Government’s decision to gift two large Bay Class patrol vessels to Sri Lanka next year. Such capacity augmentation will enable the Sri Lanka Navy, which is the best-suited force for this...
Photograph ColomboPage Unveiling a statue of the Vietnamese leader Ho Chin Min in Colombo today, the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa asserted that Sri Lanka values its freedom and sovereignty, and that Sri Lankans 'are not ready by any means to live under the fears of invasion or aggression'.
The Northern Province’s Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran has said that the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) faces many impediments to its ability to function. Speaking to BBC’s Tamilosai on Sunday, Wigneswaran said that officials attached to the NPC’s office were creating obstacles for him and the Council. The members of the NPC had previously complained of military interference in the council and also requested that the governor, former military commander Chandrasiri, be replaced with a civilian governor.
Picture: TamilNet Civic members of the Karaveddi South-West Pirathesa Sapai (PS) were attacked by security forces after commemorating LTTE cadres, just days before the annual Heroes Day on November 27 or 'Maaveerar Naal'. According to TamilNet , the chair of Karaveddi South-West PS, Mr P. Viyakes, was questioned by security personnel and later attacked. Further reports of attacks on the deputy head of Valveddiththurai Urban Council have also emerged. Members of the Sri Lankan military allegedly attacked the councillor’s house at 2am and threatened his family.
Over 150 Tamil students from across the UK gathered today at the annual Youth Maaveerar Naal in remembrance of lives that have been sacrificed in the Tamil nation’s struggle against genocide . The inter-university remembrance event, ‘Youth Maaveerar Naal’, hosted this year by Imperial College London, saw several universities prepare theatrical dance performances, poems, songs and speeches in remembrance of sacrifices in the Tamil struggle against genocide.
A British Tamil Rapper, MC Ellaalan released his second rap song at Youth Maaveerar Naal today. Tamil Guardian caught up with the rapper at the end of the event to talk about the motive behind his second song.
The Sri Lankan army unveiled a new archway in Anuradhapura on Saturday, depicting the historic battles between the Sinhala King Dutu Gemunu and the Chola King Ellalan (or 'Elara').
Latest figures form the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection indicate that most of the asylum seekers coming from the island of Sri Lanka had been persecuted on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Statistics showed that over 63.9% of the asylum seekers that reached Australia by plane in 2012-13 were legitimate refugees. Figures also revealed that 52.1% of the asylum seekers that arrived by boat were also classified as legitimate refugees, despite being sent back to Sri Lanka by the immigration...