Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

EDITORIAL - A shaky bridge across the Palk Strait
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…

Military makes up for 'lack of teachers' in Kilinochchi

Jan 4, 2013
The Sri Lankan Army has denied allegations that soldiers teach wearing military uniform in Kilinochchi schools, reports the Daily Mirror.

Military spokesperson, Ruwan Wanigasuriya said that the troops who had been called in to make up for the 'lack of teachers' in the area were given appropriate training and also contracted to work in civilian clothing and not military uniforms.

He also claimed that the current situation was 'temporary' and soldiers had undertaken the work in 'good faith'.

Mutilated body of young woman found in Karainagar

Jan 4, 2013
The mutilated body of a 27 year old woman was found in a disused well in Karainagar on Thursday reports Uthayan.

The body is believed to be that of Kajenthini Rasathurai, a young woman from Sandilipai with mental health concerns.

According to Uthayan, Kajenthini Rasathurai was picked up by Vaddukottai police from Karainagar temple on 7th December, after locals expressed concerns the day before. The vulnerable young woman, who was seen to be with police officers till 1am, was later reported missing.

Media ministry demands registration from websites

Jan 3, 2013

The Sri Lankan media ministry has sent letters to websites, asking them to register and pay the fee by January 15, reported ColomboPage.

New regulations, brought in by the government last year, stipulate that websites on the island need to register and pay registration fees of Rs 25,000 and an annual fee of Rs 10,000.

It's all about China

Jan 3, 2013
Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Economic Development, recently told media that a number of promotional campaigns targetting Chinese tourists will be implemented this year.

The ministry expects to increase the number of arrivals from China to 60,000 - up from over 22,000 in 2012 - in 2013, and so has launched several campaigns to raise 'awareness' about Sri Lanka's many tourist 'attractions'.

Planned campaigns include special holiday packages during Chinese New Year, bus advertising campaigns and a three day 'Sri Lanka Night'.

Voluntary' key to refugee return says UN refugee chief

Jan 3, 2013

In an interview with The Hindu, Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighted the need to re-establish the confidence of Tamils so that they may return, whilst making a point of stressing that this return must be voluntary. 

See full interview here.  Extracts reproduced below: 

"The number of people going back to Sri Lanka has decreased substantially in the recent past. We need to look into what are the obstacles and how the two governments of India and Sri Lanka, working together can improve the conditions and create opportunities for the voluntary repatriation of the people. Voluntary is the key word here."

SL seeks new $1bn IMF loan

Jan 3, 2013

The Sri Lankan government is to seek out a further loan from the International Monetary Fund after the failure of foreign investment to materialise. See LBO's report.

Interestingly, Sri Lankan Treasury Chief Punchi Banda Jayasundera said:

Australians protest against cricket tour as campaign grows

Jan 2, 2013

More than 50 Australians gathered outside the Sydney Cricket Ground to protest against Australia hosting the Sri Lankan cricket team in their tour of the country, as more supporters signed on to the boycott Sri Lanka cricket campaign.

Rs. 95 billion loss and ‘a high quality service’

Jan 2, 2013

Sri Lanka’s state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) posted losses of Rs. 95 billion, according to Managing Director Susantha De Silva, while a government minister insisted that a high quality service was being provided, ruling out privatisation of the company.

According to De Silva, the losses were due to the subsidising of fuel and delay in payment by state services, despite several hikes in fuel prices in the last year alone.

Lions in sheep’s clothing

Jan 2, 2013

Two villages in the Vadamaraadchi region of the Jaffna peninsula saw Christmas events organised by the Sri Lankan Army.

Tamil loan default rates almost zero

Jan 1, 2013

Sri Lanka’s outgoing Bank of Ceylon Bank of Ceylon chairman has stated that rates of default on state loans were almost zero in the North-East, a stark contrast to the rest of the country.

Gamini Wickramasinghe was quoted as saying,

Mutilated body of young woman found in Karainagar
Media ministry demands registration from websites
It's all about China
Voluntary' key to refugee return says UN refugee chief
SL seeks new $1bn IMF loan
Australians protest against cricket tour as campaign grows
Rs. 95 billion loss and ‘a high quality service’
Lions in sheep’s clothing
Tamil loan default rates almost zero
Russian nuclear scientists to visit Sri Lanka
Mutilated body of young woman found in Karainagar
Media ministry demands registration from websites
It's all about China
Voluntary' key to refugee return says UN refugee chief
SL seeks new $1bn IMF loan
Australians protest against cricket tour as campaign grows
Rs. 95 billion loss and ‘a high quality service’
Lions in sheep’s clothing
Tamil loan default rates almost zero
Russian nuclear scientists to visit Sri Lanka