Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Occupation Watch - 16 May, 2025
Sri Lankan military involvement in civilian life across the Tamil homeland has continued this week, with the armed forces continuing to entrench themselves in events across the North-East. Pottuvil, Amparai: Military embedded in civilian and ecological spaces On 26 April 2025, the Sri Lankan Navy partnered with the Rotaract Informatics Institute of Technology to plant 1,000 mangrove plants at…

UN Secretary General welcomes OHCHR report on Sri Lanka

Mar 2, 2014
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has welcomed the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka released last month, which called for an international inquiry to investigate violations of humanitarian law.

Speaking on the opening day of the 25th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Secretary General told the Council,
“As we survey crises and challenges around the world, your work for accountability and an end to impunity is critical.”

‘Time has now clearly come for international action’ – UK

Mar 2, 2014
Last updated: 15:25 GMT

The United Kingdom made a clear call on the United Nations Human Rights Council to support an independent investigation on Sri Lanka, stating that "the time has now clearly come for international action, with regard to Sri Lanka," and expressed hope that "the Human Rights Council can unite to support the call for an independent investigation."
 

Canada declares support for international inquiry on Sri Lanka

Mar 2, 2014
Canada pledged its support for an international inquiry mechanism to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, at the UN Human Rights Council's 25th session that began earlier today.

Speaking on the opening day, Lynne Yelich, the Canadian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular, said,

“In the absence of credible actions by the Government of Sri Lanka, Canada supports the call for an international inquiry mechanism.”

Draft Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka leaked

Mar 2, 2014

Published 18:31 GMT

A draft resolution calling for reconciliation, accountability and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka, was leaked at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session today.

See resolution here.


 

‘Accountability is the only way for stability’ - EU on Sri Lanka

Mar 2, 2014
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council earlier today, the European Union called for accountability in Sri Lanka, stating it was the “only way for stability” on the island.

Dimitris Kourkoulas, Greece’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressed the Council on behalf of the EU, stating, 
“Facing our past is a vital component of ensuring a stable and peaceful future.”
“In Sri Lanka, where the High Commissioner has just issued her report, it is vital that the full truth of past events is made known and accountability be pursued, for this is the only way for stability.”

Tamil Christian clergy reiterate need for international investigation

Mar 2, 2014

Over two hundred members of the Tamil Christian clergy from North-East including the Bishop of Mannar, wrote to members of the UN Human Rights Council today, demanding an international investigation into Sri Lanka’s war crimes and human rights violations.

“Tamil Christian Clergy from North-East Sri Lanka call; for an international investigation mechanism from the UN Human Rights Council," said the clergy in a letter sent to the UNHRC.

UNP: 'no one can take the President before any international tribunal'

Mar 2, 2014
Sri Lanka's opposition party, the UNP, reiterated its support for the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government today, stressing that 'no one can take the President of the country or any other before an international tribunal since Sri Lanka is not signatory to the Rome Convention of 2012', reported Colombo Page.

The chair of the UNP Leadership Council, Karu Jayasuriya, added that the UNP was 'instrumental in bringing independence to the country and would work to safeguard it'.

Tamil Nadu students call on Delhi to support international investigation in Sri Lanka

Mar 2, 2014
Students at Nanthanam Arts College

In a number of separate protests, students in Tamil Nadu took to the streets demonstrating against the Central government's failure to lead the call for the international investigation into allegations of mass atrocities in the final stages of the armed conflict, whilst others also went onto to demand a referendum to be held on an independent state of Tamil Eelam.

Tamil Youths & Students Federation and Progressive Students Front

Draft resolution is a 'disappointing start' says TAG

Mar 2, 2014
Commenting on the draft UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka released today, the rights group, Tamils Against Genocide (TAG), said it was "disappointing start both for Tamil victims/survivors and for INGOs who have campaigned for a International Investigation into Sri Lanka's mass atrocities of 2009 to be established at this 25th session of the Human Rights Council."

Draft UNHRC resolution fails to offer meaningful progress - CTC

Mar 2, 2014
The draft resolution tabled today at the opening session of the UN Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka "falls short" said Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) in a statement released this evening.

Calling on the Council to take "decisive action", CTC said that the draft resolution "fails to offer any meaningful progress towards accountability, let alone reconciliation."

CTC added,
"The proposed resolution effectively mutes the chorus of calls for an International Commission of Inquiry, and instead continues to give Sri Lanka time and space. The proposal appears to seek the High Commissioner’s assistance in undertaking an investigation, however, it does not give her the mandate, resources, or direction to investigate and make a legal finding of fact."
‘Time has now clearly come for international action’ – UK
Canada declares support for international inquiry on Sri Lanka
Draft Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka leaked
‘Accountability is the only way for stability’ - EU on Sri Lanka
Tamil Christian clergy reiterate need for international investigation
UNP: 'no one can take the President before any international tribunal'
Tamil Nadu students call on Delhi to support international investigation in Sri Lanka
Draft resolution is a 'disappointing start' says TAG
Draft UNHRC resolution fails to offer meaningful progress - CTC
Strong calls for international investigation on first day of HRC session
‘Time has now clearly come for international action’ – UK
Canada declares support for international inquiry on Sri Lanka
Draft Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka leaked
‘Accountability is the only way for stability’ - EU on Sri Lanka
Tamil Christian clergy reiterate need for international investigation
UNP: 'no one can take the President before any international tribunal'
Tamil Nadu students call on Delhi to support international investigation in Sri Lanka
Draft resolution is a 'disappointing start' says TAG
Draft UNHRC resolution fails to offer meaningful progress - CTC
Strong calls for international investigation on first day of HRC session