Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The Sri Lankan government has formally tabled the long-suppressed Batalanda Commission Report in Parliament, reigniting discussions on the alleged torture chambers and human rights violations that took place during the 1988–1990 period. Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake presented the report to Parliament, announcing that it would be forwarded to the Attorney General for legal action. A two-…

Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings

The leader of a far right, ultranationalist Buddhist organisation claimed on Thursday that he knew the identity of the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which claimed the lives of 270 people, including many foreign tourists.

Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP

The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a paramilitary group that was once closely linked to the Rajapaksas has reportedly refused to contest under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lotus symbol, leaving the party scrambling to find alternative partners in the Tamil homeland. 

UNP praises Wickremesinghe and lashes out at Mehdi Hasan

The United National Party (UNP) has issued an official statement praising former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe following his disastrous interview on Al Jazeera’s Head to Head, while launching an attack on host Mehdi Hasan for what they described as "deplorable conduct".

Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains

The Jaffna court has appointed a five-member committee to oversee security at Ariyalai cemetery following the discovery of human skeletal remains

Tamil MP assassinated by Sri Lankan military remembered

Events were held in Jaffna and Mullaitivu last week to commemorate Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Kiddinan Sivanesan on the 17th anniversary of his assassination by Sri Lankan armed forces on March 6, 2008.

Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies in crisis amidst ‘political interference’, says Sinhala nationalist MP

Sinhala nationalist lawmaher and leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), Udaya Gammanpila, has accused the Dissanayake-led government of weakening Sri Lanka’s intelligence sector, warning that such reckless interference poses a “severe national security risk”.

Sri Lanka announces probe into Ranil Wickremesinghe – but ignores war crimes against Tamils

Sri Lanka will launch a fresh inquiry into allegations against former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, said a government minister, including his alleged role in the Batalanda torture camp, the Central Bank bond scam, and the Easter Sunday attacks. 

The move comes just days after Wickremesinghe’s disastrous interview on Al Jazeera, where he was pressed on his record of impunity, his shielding of war criminals, and his failure to address enforced disappearances. 

No more evasion

This week has made one thing abundantly clear: Sri Lanka will never voluntarily deliver justice. Whether in Geneva or on an international news broadcast, its leaders lie, deflect, and evade.

Tamil families of the disappeared brave intimidation to mark International Women’s Day 

Tamil families of the forcibly disappeared in Mullaitivu marked International Women’s Day this week with a protest through Mullivaikkal, the site of the 2009 genocide, as uniformed Sri Lankan police officers watched on.

Ranil Wickremesinghe blames ‘pro-LTTE’ panel as he flounders over Al Jazeera interview

Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe has attempted to shift blame onto “pro-LTTE” figures after his disastrous interview on Al Jazeera English’s Head to Head, in which he floundered over questions on war crimes, enforced disappearances, and his defence of war criminals such as Shavendra Silva.