Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Sri Lanka earlier this month, New Delhi’s media was already hailing the visit as a diplomatic triumph. A raft of development projects had been announced and a significant new defence pact between the two governments signed. Images broadcast showed Modi beside a smiling Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, arms raised aloft in symbolic…

Cementing friendships

Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, welcomed and hosted a lunch for Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, who visited Sri Lanka en route to East Asia.

At today’s meeting, the two heads of state spoke about maintaining the strong ties the two nations over the past few years, which has flourished since Museveni’s first visit to Sri Lanka last year.

Buddhists never extremist – Mahinda

Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa has claimed that Buddhists and the Buddhist clergy have never been involved in extremism.

SL rewards 'heroes'

Sri Lankan President, Mahida Rajapaksa, handed over 100 houses that were built under the ‘Api Wenuwen Api’ housing program for the Sri Lankan nations ‘war heroes’.

The keys to the high quality accommodation, built under the 12th phase of the program, were symbolically handed over to military personnel by Rajapaksa.

Tremendous' progress in Sri Lanka - Nonis

See here for Sri Lanka's high commissioner to the UK, Chris Nonis on Monday telling the BBC his version of demographics on the island and speaking about the 'wonderful' and 'comprehensive reconciliation' in the Northeast.

India is Sri Lanka’s closest friend – envoy

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam has assured India that it is Sri Lanka’s closest friend.

Kariyawasam’s comments come as President Rajapakse concluded a visit to China, during which several contracts, worth billions of dollars were signed.

Only in #lka

SL govt suspends Trinco Urban Council MoU with US embassy

The Trincomalee Urban Council suspended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US Embassy in Colombo, after the Sri Lankan government deemed that the MoU had been signed without the External Affairs Ministry's knowledge, reports ColomboPage.

The MoU, signed very recently, was aimed at establishing an American Corner in Trincomalee.

EPC in 'crisis'

Sri Lanka's Eastern Provincial Council (EPC) has run into crisis, reports the Island, as ruling party members are boycotting the sessions demanding postponement of the Northern PC polls until the replacement of the Governor and Chief Minister and restoration of the administrative structure.

Deputy Chairman of the Council, M.S. Subair clarified that:

NZ Foreign Affairs Minister to visit Sri Lanka

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully is to set off on Monday for his trip to India and Sri Lanka.

Radio New Zealand
reports that McCully is expected to discuss the hosting of CHOGM and supposedly address human rights issues and the progress of reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

Media ‘Code of Ethics’ to be tabled in Parliament

Sri Lanka will table a new bill later this year, which will attempt to introduce a “Media Code of Ethics”, according to Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The bill would apparently be aimed at creating “a salutary media culture in the country”, with the Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka reporting the Minister as having said,