Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The Sri Lankan cabinet has appointed a special committee in response to the United Kingdom’s recent decision to impose targeted sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals accused of grave human rights violations. In a statement following a cabinet meeting earlier this week, the Sri Lankan government confirmed that the “attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn” on the UK’s sanctions…

Only in #lka ...

Tweet from an organisation of Sinhala Buddhist monks on the morning of an anti-Muslim campaign.

Buddhist monks fight for Kollywood films to be banned

The organisation of Sinhala Buddhist monks, Ravana Balaya, has launched a campaign to ban the screening of all films from Tamil Nadu in Sri Lanka.

The secretary of the Ravana Balaya, the Buddhist monk Iththepane Saddhathissa Thero, announced that a letter would be handed over to the Public Performance Board on Tuesday.

Ministry of External Affairs fights back

Sri Lanka invited those "who make unfounded and exaggerated allegations as well as unrealistic demands as solutions" to visit Sri Lanka for themselves and see the progress themselves, in a statement issued today by the External Affairs Ministry. Deeming the call by the Tamil Nadu state assembly as "disturbing", the ministry asserted that the reports of Tamil Nadu fishermen being attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy were "erroneous and without any factual basis".

Presidential applause for SL rugby win

 

Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrates the Sri Lankan rugby team winning the Asian rugby tournament by presenting the winning trophy to the team captain. The Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage is stood beside them.

In his congratulatory address, Rajapaksa said:

“You have made Sri Lanka proud. The Sri Lanka team has now proved that they are good enough to play with the Asian rugby giants. It is an honour to the country. I wish them well.”

SL expresses surprise at Indian visa delay

Sri Lanka's External Affairs Ministry expressed surprise at the delay in the country's new Deputy High Commissioner to India, A. Sabrullah Khan, obtaining a diplomatic visa to India.

An official within the Ministry told the SundayTimes.lk

“Surprisingly we have not been told yes or no. Never before has there been such a delay.”

Palestinian minister to visit SL

The Palestinian Religious Affairs Minister, Dr Mahmoud al-Habbash, and his delegation will arrive on Monday for a three day visit in Sri Lanka, reports the SundayTimes.lk.

The Palestinian embassy said that Habbash is due to meet with Sri Lankan officials to discuss mutual interests and enhance bilateral relations between the two states.

Tamils slam Delhi as Sri Lanka arrests more fishermen

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 30 more Indian fishermen, taking the total number of those arrested to 56 in the last two days, as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking for the release of those arrested.

Ferry carrying 100 Tamil refugees halts on way to Australia

A ferry carrying 100 Tamil asylum seekers from the North-East, en route to Australia ran into difficulty off the coast of Karaikal. The refugees had been staying in Tenkasi and Kadayam in Tamil Nadu.

The refugees were reportedly brought ashore by the Indian Coast Guard and informed that they would be arrested for illegally entering the country.

SL cricket negotiating financial bail out with SL govt

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board expects the government to assist with the financing of two new stadia that contributed greatly to the Board's financial debts last year.

The Board's treasurer, Nuski Mohamed said:

"We talked with the national treasury twice about the stadium debt, and we are discussing it with them now,"

"The ICC has also told us that because this debt has had such a major bearing on our balance sheet, we should somehow negotiate to get that money from the government. As far as I see it, the government has said it would look at things and take over that debt, but there has not been a concrete outcome there yet."

The Board owed almost $70 million after the building of Hambantota and Pallekele, and the renovation of the Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

Beginning of an Era: Tamil Occupation of Parliament Square

"Today marks the fourth anniversary of the Tamil Occupation of Parliament Square in protest against the actions (or lack of any action) of the Sri Lankan government, the UK government and other key international actors at the time."

Check out full blog post by JP here. Extract reproduced below:

"Today for me is a day to be celebrated. It marks the coming of age for not only me but a whole generation of Tamil activists. It is a testament to the power of collective action, creating a voice in the public space for the previously voiceless, opening up dialogue and raising awareness.  For me, it honours the unity of a community that had previously stood isolated and what the force of that unity can achieve. It was the beginning of a new era, although we did not entirely know it then. It set in motion of wheels for a new political age for the liberation struggle for Tamils in Sri Lanka. Although many believe it was a wasted effort, and certainly what followed soon after was definitely not something to be celebrated- the death of at least 40,000 Tamils by conservative estimates, the protest in itself is.