Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka claims commitment to repeal PTA in talks with EU 
Sri Lanka claimed it is committed to repealing the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), during the latest round of human rights discussions with the European Union, a move tied to its continued access to preferential trade benefits under the GSP+ scheme. At the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission,…

Uthayan editor interrogated by CID

Jul 20, 2012

The editor of the Jaffna based Uthayan newspaper was interrogated for four hours by Sri Lanka's intelligence services - the CID, on Thursday, reported the news site Lanka Truth.

See here.

Only criminals are abducted in white vans says Gotabhaya

Jul 20, 2012

According to an article published by LankaTruth on 18th July, when asked by a Sri Lankan newspaper about white van abductions, Sri Lanka's no nonsense defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, replied that 'only criminals are abducted by white vans'.

Clarifying the definition of "criminal", Gotabhaya explained 'only those who had raped ten or fifteen women has been taken in white vans'.

Ruling and opposition parties in Sri Lanka disregard election laws

Jul 20, 2012

The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), an election monitor in Sri Lanka has accused the ruling UPFA and its ally the SLMC, and the main opposition UNP of violating election laws, by campaigning from vehicles on the final day of nominations, reported ColomboPage on Friday.

Sri Lanka receives final IMF tranche, looks for further bailout

Jul 20, 2012
The International Monetary Fund has delivered the final instalment of a $2.6 billion loan, as Sri Lanka looks to seek out further loans from the fund to bolster their country’s foreign reserves.

Announcing the completion of Sri Lanka’s longest engagement with the IMF and the single largest loan ever obtained by the country from a multilateral institution, the Central Bank said,

Gota’s catering services

Jul 20, 2012
The Ministry of Defence have announced their latest “commercial venture”, opening up catering services in the south of the country, as the military continues to expand its role in civilian affairs.

Having opened in Battaramulla on Thursday, Rakna Lanka Catering Services is looking to expand and open many more outlets.

Former LTTE members subjected to interrogation

Jul 20, 2012

Suspected LTTE members, who were taken into Sri Lankan government’s arbitrary arrest in 2009 and released after 'rehabilitation', continue to be harassed by Sri Lanka’s intelligence services – the CID, reports Uthayan and TamilNet.

According to reports, 'rehabilitated' members have been identified by CID operatives, interrogated and even severely beaten.

Last week, in Nadangkandal, CID operatives on motorbikes stopped two 'rehabilitated' LTTE members, before taking him to a school were he was severely beaten, reports Uthayan.

Sri Lanka owes over $15 billion in foreign loans

Jul 19, 2012
Sri Lanka has repayments of over $15 billion to make to foreign lenders for loans taken out in the last 15 years, according to a document submitted to parliament on Thursday.

Lenders include China, to whom Sri Lanka will have to repay $4.9 billion for loans worth $2.96 billion, and the Asian Development Bank who will be repaid $4.64 billion after Sri Lanka borrowed $3.35 billion.

The average repayment period for the Chinese loans is 12.2 years, while the ADB loan average repayment period is 21 years.

Risking death to be free from Sri Lanka

Jul 19, 2012

The Sydney Morning Herald examines why hundreds of Tamil asylum seekers are risking their lives and fleeing Sri Lanka.

See here for full report, extracts reproduced below:

Body washed up on Mathakal beach, Jaffna

Jul 19, 2012

The body of a middle-aged man was found washed up on Mathakal beach in Jaffna, reports Uthayan.

The body, believed to be that of man aged between 50-55 and wearing a blue saram, was found by local residents on Friday morning.

It was taken away by Sri Lankan police officers for further investigation.

Locals believe it is that of an Indian fisherman.

As long as you don't campaign against us' - UPFA bids farewell to SLMC

Jul 18, 2012

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the island’s main Muslim party said it will be contesting independently at the eastern provincial councils.

The announcement comes as a U-turn, only a few days after the SLMC had declared it would be running under the UPFA banner - the ruling coalition.

Only criminals are abducted in white vans says Gotabhaya
Ruling and opposition parties in Sri Lanka disregard election laws
Sri Lanka receives final IMF tranche, looks for further bailout
Gota’s catering services
Former LTTE members subjected to interrogation
Sri Lanka owes over $15 billion in foreign loans
Risking death to be free from Sri Lanka
Body washed up on Mathakal beach, Jaffna
As long as you don't campaign against us' - UPFA bids farewell to SLMC
SL central bank invests in Greek bonds, despite losses
Only criminals are abducted in white vans says Gotabhaya
Ruling and opposition parties in Sri Lanka disregard election laws
Sri Lanka receives final IMF tranche, looks for further bailout
Gota’s catering services
Former LTTE members subjected to interrogation
Sri Lanka owes over $15 billion in foreign loans
Risking death to be free from Sri Lanka
Body washed up on Mathakal beach, Jaffna
As long as you don't campaign against us' - UPFA bids farewell to SLMC
SL central bank invests in Greek bonds, despite losses