Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Chemmani mass grave toll reaches 366 ahead of ministerial visit
The number of skeletal remains identified at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna has risen to 366, as excavators uncovered further remains of children on Tuesday, at one of the largest mass graves unearthed on the island and a site long tied to the enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing of Tamils by the Sri Lankan military. Six sets of skeletal remains, including those of children,…

Sexual attacks on Tamil women in the East

Oct 7, 2012

A 38-year-old mother of five was sexually assaulted and killed in Batticaloa on Monday, repored TamilNet on Monday.

Ms A Sinnapillai was gagged and dragged out of her home by two Sinhalese workers and allegedly raped and murdered in a nearby jungle. Her body was found dumped upside down in a pit.

Malaysia to sign trade deal with SL

Oct 7, 2012

Malaysia is planning to sign a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka regarding the oil and gas sector, reported the Daily News.

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Azmi Zainuddin said the MoU could help the Sri Lankan Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat to formalise business and investment opportunities with Malaysian firms.

“We recognise the potential that Malaysian oil and gas companies could offer Sri Lankan companies in this sector.

UN official calls for “greater attention” to resettled people

Oct 7, 2012
A visiting senior UN official to Sri Lanka has stated that more focus needs to be shifted towards the allocation of land and job creation of those who have been displaced by war.
 
Dr. Ajay Chhibber, who is the UN Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific visited the island from earlier this week, as part of the United Nations Development Programme.

Marking the conclusion of his visit he stated,

Tamils accused of 'conspiring' with diaspora to be prosecuted

Oct 6, 2012
Around 80 Tamils are to face prosecution by the Sri Lankan state after being accused of conspiring with activists in the country and in the diaspora to set up a separate state.

These Tamils are accused of being “hardcore LTTE cadres” and will be prosecuted under the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act according to Additional Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath.

He told the Daily Mirror,

Senior member of the judiciary attacked after speaking out

Oct 6, 2012
A senior judge, openly critical of the Sri Lankan government, has been admitted to hospital after being stabbed several times.

The secretary of the independent Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Manjula TIlakaratne, was assaulted by four armed men and robbed of his mobile phone.  Reports suggest that it did not appear to be an act aimed at killing him.

Tilakaratne recently issued a statement outlining the targeting and intimidation that the JSC was facing. He said,

You will determine our means of resistance – Jaffna Civil Societies tell the UN

Oct 6, 2012
Jaffna Civil Societies have told the UN that the actions of the international community will determine Eelam Tamils’ future means of resistance.

In a statement to the visiting UN delegation, the societies pointed out that Tamils are not willing to trust the Sri Lankan state and that development cannot lead to a permanent solution, but that a permanent solution would bring about development.

The societies further stated,

2nd Lt Ajantha Mendis hailed by Army for cricketing display at T20 World Cup

Oct 6, 2012

The Sri Lankan army is “very happy” by the display of its own man in the Sri Lankan cricket team.

2nd Lieutenant Ajantha Mendis produced two of the best ever spells of Twenty20 cricket during Sri Lanka’s match against Zimbabwe.

Rajapakse and the ICC

Oct 5, 2012
Mahinda with ICC delegation (Picture: ColomboPage)

Navi Pillay undecided on visit to Sri Lanka

Oct 5, 2012

Speaking to the Sunday Leader, Ravina Shamdasani from the Communications Section of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN, said that Navi Pillay was yet undecided about whether to visit Sri Lanka later this month or not.

Shamdasani said,

“Ms. Pillay is being briefed by the mission delegation and will make a decision on this (visiting Sri Lanka) in due course."

Sri Lankan lawyers condemn unacceptable judiciary system

Oct 5, 2012

The members of the Kegalle Lawyers’ Association have released a statement condemning the threats, intimidation and reported attempts to influence the Judicial Service Commission.

It was this hostile environment that formed the basis of a resolution that was unanimously and unreservedly agreed upon by the association.

Malaysia to sign trade deal with SL
UN official calls for “greater attention” to resettled people
Tamils accused of 'conspiring' with diaspora to be prosecuted
Senior member of the judiciary attacked after speaking out
You will determine our means of resistance – Jaffna Civil Societies tell the UN
2nd Lt Ajantha Mendis hailed by Army for cricketing display at T20 World Cup
Rajapakse and the ICC
Navi Pillay undecided on visit to Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan lawyers condemn unacceptable judiciary system
Still Counting The Dead' launched as one of many to come
Malaysia to sign trade deal with SL
UN official calls for “greater attention” to resettled people
Tamils accused of 'conspiring' with diaspora to be prosecuted
Senior member of the judiciary attacked after speaking out
You will determine our means of resistance – Jaffna Civil Societies tell the UN
2nd Lt Ajantha Mendis hailed by Army for cricketing display at T20 World Cup
Rajapakse and the ICC
Navi Pillay undecided on visit to Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan lawyers condemn unacceptable judiciary system
Still Counting The Dead' launched as one of many to come