Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Namal Rajapaksa, parliamentarian and son of accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa, has called on the Sri Lankan government to summon the Canadian High Commissioner to formally protest the unveiling of a Tamil Genocide Monument in Brampton, Canada, claiming it promotes a “false genocide narrative” and “distorts history.” In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Rajapaksa accused the…

Australian High Court blocks return of asylum seekers

The Australian High Court has granted an interim injunction, blocking the government’s attempt to return 153 asylum seekers to the “Sri Lankan government, its military or its agents”, reported The Australian.

Justice Susan Crennan granted the injunction until 4pm local time on Tuesday, and noted that “the position of Tamil minority appears problematic” and that they had “made out a prima facie case for urgent relief”.

However she also noted that “it was not entirely clear what the next step for the plaintiffs” was and the application “appears somewhat speculative”.

SL army is erasing Tamil remembrance days says NPC Minister

The Northern Provincial Agricultural Minister P Ayngaranesan, last week that the Sri Lankan army was trying to erase Tamil days of remembrance by organising military events to coincide with key dates, reports Uthayan.

Speaking after a protest against Sri Lankan military land grabs in the North-East last week, Ayngaranesan criticised a sports day organised by the army on July the 5th, a date where Tamils remember 'Karumpuli Naal', marking the first LTTE militant gave their life fighting against the Sri Lankan army.

Twenty Tamil Nadu fishermen detained by SL navy

Twenty Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested on Saturday night  for poaching north of Mannar, reports The Hindu.

A total of 37 fishermen are now in Sri Lankan custody with their boats confiscated by the Sri Lanka navy.

17 Indian fishermen detained in latest SL Navy arrest (29 June 2014)

Australia's deportation of asylum seekers could breach international law says UNHCR

The United Nations Refugee agency (UNHCR), today expressed deep concern over Australia’s announcement that it had returned 41 asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities.

Stressing that Australia could be in breach of international law, the UNHCR statement said,
“UNHCR understands that "enhanced screening procedures" were used as a basis for determining whether the 41 individuals involved raised claims for protection which required further consideration. Without further information UNHCR is not in a position, at this time, to confirm whether they were in accordance with international law. UNHCR has previously made known its concerns to Australia about its enhanced screening procedures and their non-compliance with international law.”

Over 60 Tamil Nadu groups form 'Tamil National Front'

Tamil nationalist groups in Tamil Nadu, Monday, merged to form a new political movement called the ‘Tamilar Desiya Munnani’ (Tamil National Front) to further the cause of Tamils, reports the New Indian Express.

Lords stress need for international war crimes inquiry to help end dispute between Tamils and Sri Lanka

The House of Lords on Wednesday discussed how the British government intended to resolve the dispute between the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil community.

Responding to a question on the suitability of a domestic inquiry in Sri Lanka that was raised by the Conservative party’s Lord Sheikh, baroness Warsi, highlighting that the lack of progress towards accountability and justice in Sri Lanka was due to a lack of political will, said,
“This is despite the UK and others calling for such an investigation since 2009. As a result, the UN Human Rights Council has passed a resolution that establishes an international investigation, which we strongly support.”

Ambassador Sison calls for ‘concrete steps’ on justice and accountability in Sri Lanka

Ambassador Michele Sison speaking in Colombo on Friday

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka has called on the government to take “meaningful and concrete steps” to address concerns on governance, reconciliation, justice, and accountability.

Speaking at an event marking the 238th independence day of the United States, Ambassador Michele Sison praised the “longstanding and warm ties” between the two countries.

The reception, hosted by the US Embassy in Colombo, was attended by Ananthy Sasitharan, councillor in the Northern Provincial Council and R Sampanthan, the leader of the Tamil National Alliance.

USAID calls off voter education programme

A USAID sponsored programme aimed at voter education has been called off, after pressure from the Sri Lankan government, including Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The programme, called 'educating voters so as to help with elections in the country', was advertised in several national papers, but civil society organisations have now been informed that the funds have been withdrawn and no applications are being taken, reported Ceylon Today.

NFF threatens to withdraw from ruling coalition if Sri Lanka allows South Africa involvement

The National Freedom Front spokesman, Mohammad Muzammil, said that the party would consider leaving the ruling coalition if the Sri Lankan government allowed South Africa to become involved in the country’s internal affairs.

Muzammil said that the visit of South Africa’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka and Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC) would not be viewed favourably, reports Colombo page.

Dalai Lama urges Buddhists to end anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka and Myanmar

The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, Sunday reiterated calls for Buddhists in Myanmar and Sri Lanka to halt violence against Muslims, reports AlJazeera.

"I urge the Buddhists in these countries to imagine an image of Buddha before they commit such a crime," said Dalai Lama speaking to thousands of his followers at an event to mark his 79th birthday in the Himalayas.