Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Jaffna and Palaly protests mark 36 years since Valikamam North displacement
Displaced residents of the Valikamam North region of Jaffna held protests on Monday, in front of the Jaffna District Secretariat and near Palaly Junction, marking 36 years since their forced displacement and demanding the right to return and resettle in their lands. The people of Valikamam North were displaced from their homeland on 15 June 1990 by the Sri Lankan military. Thirty-six years on…

Human rights violators can't be trusted not to do it again and again' - Geoffrey Robertson QC

Nov 19, 2013
Australia's $2 million gift of two patrol boats to the Sri Lankan Navy has been slammed by Geoffrey Robertson QC, who stated that they will be used against civilians.

Condemning the gift to the Sri Lankan Navy, Robertson said,

Cameron has secured a permanent place in the hearts of Tamils - Karunanidhi

Nov 19, 2013

Reflecting on the British Premier's historic visit to Jaffna, the DMK president Karunanidhi of Tamil Nadu, India, said that David Cameron had "secured a permanent place in the hearts of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Tamils living in other countries, and Tamils in Tamil Nadu".

Commenting on the Indian Prime Minister's decision not to go, Karunanidhi said that if the decision had been taken in view of the sentiments of Tamils, then that should have been outlined in a letter to the Sri Lankan President.

Commonwealth Games 'opportunity to shine spotlight' on Sri Lanka war crimes

Nov 19, 2013

The controversy surrounding Sri Lanka and allegations of war crimes risks overshadowing the Commonwealth Games due to be held in Scotland next July, reported the Herald Scotland.

With Sri Lanka taking over the Chair of the Commonwealth, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be sharing the limelight with the Queen at the Games.

New Zealand law Society condemns cancellation of rule of law meeting at CHOGM

Nov 19, 2013
The New Zealand Law Society expressed concerns regarding the deterioration human rights situation in Sri Lanka, today.

Releasing a statement today, the Law society, condemned Sri Lanka’s the barring of over 200 lawyers and diplomats from a joint conference to discuss the rule of law and independence of the judiciary in the Commonwealth, consequentially resulting in cancellation of the meeting.

UNP apologises to Buddhist movement

Nov 19, 2013
Sri Lanka’s main opposition, the United National Party (UNP) apologised to the Buddhist monk movement Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today, for any insult or inconvenience the party may have previously caused.

The apologies were regarding, scuffles between UNP party members and BBS monks that were protesting against the Channel 4 No Fire Zone documentary last week.

‘Abbott falters on crucial leadership test’ – The Age

Nov 19, 2013

Extracts from the editorial Monday by Australia’s The Age newspaper:

“There was a world of difference in the way British Prime Minister David Cameron managed his visit to the Commonwealth [summit] in Sri Lanka and the approach taken by our Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. One was inspirational; the other fawning.

Toronto torture victim takes case to UN

Nov 18, 2013
A Tamil Canadian who was tortured by Sri Lankan state forces when he reutrned to the island in 2007 has filed an official complaint at to the UN Human Rights Committee, accusing Sri Lanka of violating international human rights laws.

44-year-old Roy Samathanam, a Canadian citizen since 1996, was arrested in Colombo, by machine-gun wielding officers from Sri Lanka's Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) in 2007.

He was handcuffed, blindfolded, kept in custody and tortured for 3 years after failing to provide a bribe, whilst his wife and daughter were placed under house arrest.

UNP 'opposed to international inquiry'

Nov 18, 2013
Sri Lanka's main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP), once again reiterated their unwillingness to co-operate with an international inquiry into war crimes, on Monday.

Stating that the government's LLRC was adequate enough to deal with the allegatios, the UNP general secretary, Tissa Attanayake stated,

Chinese firm pens $500mn hotel deal

Nov 18, 2013
The China Harbour Engineering Company  has signed a deal worth $500 million with Sri Lanka authorities to build a golf courses and hotels in Hambantota and Katunayake, according to reports.

The same Chinese firm built a $209 million airport in Hambantota, named the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, funded by a loan from China.

See our feature from 2010:

Tamil man disappears in Kilinochchi

Nov 18, 2013
Photograph @Kajeepanv


No sooner had the international spectacle of the Commonwealth leaders' summit drawn to a close, than reports of disappearances begun to resurface.
Cameron has secured a permanent place in the hearts of Tamils - Karunanidhi
Commonwealth Games 'opportunity to shine spotlight' on Sri Lanka war crimes
New Zealand law Society condemns cancellation of rule of law meeting at CHOGM
UNP apologises to Buddhist movement
‘Abbott falters on crucial leadership test’ – The Age
Toronto torture victim takes case to UN
UNP 'opposed to international inquiry'
Chinese firm pens $500mn hotel deal
Tamil man disappears in Kilinochchi
Reconsider CHOGM2015 urge Malta's Greens over SL human rights concerns
Cameron has secured a permanent place in the hearts of Tamils - Karunanidhi
Commonwealth Games 'opportunity to shine spotlight' on Sri Lanka war crimes
New Zealand law Society condemns cancellation of rule of law meeting at CHOGM
UNP apologises to Buddhist movement
‘Abbott falters on crucial leadership test’ – The Age
Toronto torture victim takes case to UN
UNP 'opposed to international inquiry'
Chinese firm pens $500mn hotel deal
Tamil man disappears in Kilinochchi
Reconsider CHOGM2015 urge Malta's Greens over SL human rights concerns