Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Hundreds march in Kilinochchi against limestone, sand mining and wind turbines
A protest march was held last month opposing limestone excavation, mineral sand mining and a proposed wind power project across the villages of Veravil, Valaipadu, Ponnaveli and Kiranchi, in the Poonakary Divisional Secretariat division of Kilinochchi. The demonstration was organised against plans to establish wind power stations and to carry out mineral sand and limestone extraction in the…

Relatives of Ananthi Sasitharan beaten and arrested by plainclothes police officers

Jul 12, 2014
Two of Northern Provincial Councillor Ananthi Sasitharan’s family members were beaten and taken to Vaddukoddai police station on Sunday, Tamil Guardian has learnt.

Speaking to Tamil Guardian Sasitharan said that the two relatives were waiting outside her office when they were approached by a group of police men in civilian attire.

Following an exchange of words, the two were beaten with iron rods and taken to the police station to be arrested. No reason for the arrest was provided reiterated Sasitharan.

Journalists threatened whilst documenting appropriation of Tamil land

Jul 12, 2014
Journalists who went to report on the preemptive surveying of private Tamil land that was in a land appropriation dispute in court, were threatened by the Sri Lankan navy on Friday.

Threats were made to the journalists as they attempted to photograph and document the Sri Lankan navy surveying private Tamil land that the government was in the process of appropriating, reports Uthayan.

"This is our region, you cannot take photographs within this," warned navy personnel, whilst taking photographs of the journalists.

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to re-enter politics

Jul 12, 2014
The former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, is to re-enter politics, reports asianmirror.lk.

Chandrika, with the support of several foreign diplomatic missions in Colombo, has discussed her policy framework with several key cabinet ministers who are dissatisfied with the present administration, reports suggest.

Man found dead in Navali

Jul 11, 2014

The body of a man was found Saturday morning, near Navali South J.136 by the Kallundai Vairavar temple, reports Uthayan.

The body, identified as that of Nagarasa Kugatheepan from Kodikaamam was found with lacerations to the neck.

Maanippai police are reportedly carrying out an investigation into the death.

Anti-Muslim riots have tarnished the name of Sinhalese Buddhists says Sri Lanka's opposition leader

Jul 11, 2014
The image of Sinhalese Buddhists has been tarnished by recent anti-Muslim riots said the leader of the opposition UNP party in parliament last week, reports DailyMirror.lk.

Commenting on the negative impacts of anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickramasinghe said,

“The good name of Sinhalese Buddhists has been destroyed by such actions of a few. That is why I call this a fire lit, not only against the Muslims but against themselves (Sinhalese Buddhists).”

Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry briefs India on progress in accountability and reconciliation

Jul 11, 2014
 The Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs, Friday, met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in Hydrabad today, to discuss progress by his government on the issues of accountability and reconciliation, reports The Hindu.

“There was a fairly detailed presentation by Pro. Peiris about the initiatives they are taking for reconciliation and accountability, “ said the Indian ministry for external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.

BBS leader to attend religious events in Australia

Jul 11, 2014
The head of the Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), which has been linked ot recent anti-Muslim riots, will travel to Australia in August, reports Colombo Page.

Galagodaathethe Gnanasara Thero, will participate in religious functions in Austrailia.

The announcement of the monks visit comes after his visa to the US was suspended and visa application to France was rejected.

US revokes Gnanasara visa - BBS (30 June 2014)

Former military commander reappointed as governor of Northern Province

Jul 10, 2014

The former commander of the Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna has been reappointed as the governor of the Northern Province, a civilian position, by President Mahinda Rajapkasa.

Major General GA Chandrasiri was sworn in for another 5 years by the president at Temple Trees on Friday, reported Ceylon Today.

Ruling coalition monk in 'fruitful' discussions with opposition UNP

Jul 10, 2014
A MP of the ruling coalition Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today that fruitful discussions with the opposition party took place today.

The Buddhist monk Pathuraliye Rathana Thero, who leads the Buddhist Pivithuru Hetak National Movement of Sri Lanka whilst being a JHU MP, said that discussions were aimed at bringing the country into the right path, reports Colombo Page.

The monk met with the leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremasinghe and other UNP MPs.

Report slams British support of Sri Lankan military

Jul 10, 2014

A new report has revealed the extent of British support for Sri Lanka and training of the Sri Lankan military over three decades.

The report, authored by Phil Miller, a researcher with Corporate Watch, details the closeness of the British government’s relationship with the Sri Lankan state, including the deployment of mercenaries, training by British officers of Sri Lankan forces and the supply of weapons throughout the conflict with the Tamils.

Miller’s report shows how “British collusion with Sri Lankan security forces throughout the thirty years of genocidal counter-insurgency warfare” resulted in “Sri Lanka’s brazen mass killings of Tamils on the beaches of Mullivaikal in 2009.”

Journalists threatened whilst documenting appropriation of Tamil land
Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to re-enter politics
Man found dead in Navali
Anti-Muslim riots have tarnished the name of Sinhalese Buddhists says Sri Lanka's opposition leader
Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry briefs India on progress in accountability and reconciliation
BBS leader to attend religious events in Australia
Former military commander reappointed as governor of Northern Province
Ruling coalition monk in 'fruitful' discussions with opposition UNP
Report slams British support of Sri Lankan military
NGOs armed LTTE – Sri Lankan Prime Minister
Journalists threatened whilst documenting appropriation of Tamil land
Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to re-enter politics
Man found dead in Navali
Anti-Muslim riots have tarnished the name of Sinhalese Buddhists says Sri Lanka's opposition leader
Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry briefs India on progress in accountability and reconciliation
BBS leader to attend religious events in Australia
Former military commander reappointed as governor of Northern Province
Ruling coalition monk in 'fruitful' discussions with opposition UNP
Report slams British support of Sri Lankan military
NGOs armed LTTE – Sri Lankan Prime Minister