Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamils across the North-East commemorated Annai Poopathy on Saturday, marking 37 years since her hunger strike unto death, in protest of atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF). Poopathy Kanapathipillai, affectionately known as Annai Poopathy (Mother Poopathy), began her hunger strike on March 19, 1988 in Batticaloa, calling for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks…

Foreign election monitors: arrival statement

In statement published Wednesday, the Commonwealth election monitors, who arrived on the island a few days ago, ahead of the Northern Provincial Council election due to take place on Saturday, outlined their mandate.
"Our task is to consider all the factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and to assess whether the election is conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Sri Lanka has committed itself, with reference to its own election legislation as well as relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international commitments.

We will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for free and competitive elections; whether the Elections Commission is independent and effective; the transparency of the process; whether candidates have been free to campaign; what role the media has played; whether voters have been free to express their will; and whether the results process is transparent.

No Fire Zone' screening organisers to be charged in Malaysia

One of the three people, Lena Hendry, who were arrested following the screening of 'No Fire Zone' documentary in Malaysia is to be charged on Thursday at the KL Magistrate Court under the Film Censorship Act.

Hendry, the program officer of the organisation PUSAT KOMAS, was arrested on the 3rd July along with the Executive Director, Arul Prakkash and one of the Board of Directors Anna Har, after the screening was raided by Malaysian police, on apparent instructions of the Malaysian Home Ministry (KDN).

Below is a press statement by PUSAT KOMAS:

TNA sets out to win support of the masses

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) held a mass election rally in Nallur today, with several candidates addressing the crowds, and urging them to come out and vote.


   
Front page of the TNA electoral publication  

See below  for commentary from the event as it took place.

SL military and MoD receive high corruption ratings

In a recent study conducted by the Transparency International UK’s Defence and Security Programme (TI-DSP) , Sri Lanka was placed amongst the 14 most likely countries that were likely to suffer from high level corruption in their Ministry of Defence and armed forces.

ICP questions UN on impunity for SL peacekeepers

Questioning the UN's claim of 'zero tolerance' for sexual abuse, the Inner City Press (ICP), asked the UN whether it was denying the allegation of rape against Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti.

Rajapaksa: 'army will never be withdrawn completely' from North

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa answered a wide range of questions concerning the end of the armed conflict and the time that has passed since then. See here for full interview, extracts reproduced below.

Asked about militarisation of the North-East and why a phased withdrawal was not possible, Rajapaksa commented:

SL collecting data for citizen identity cards

Sri Lanka’s Department of Registration of Persons will commence issuing new electronic National Identity Cards to all ‘citizens’ from November, reported Colombo Page.

Tamil TNA campaigner killed in Mullaitivu

A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) campaigner, Rasiah Kavithan, was killed by a group of supporters of the ruling party UPFA in Mullaitivu today, reports TamilNet

The Sri Lankan police force in the area handed over the dead body to the mortuary in Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital.

Sri Lankan Cricket preparations

Sri Lankan cricket players take part in a ceremony in preparation of the Champions League Twenty20, in Colombo.