Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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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,…

Families of the disappeared hold protests in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi urging for international justice

Photo reproduced from Tamilwin - Families of the Disappeared protest in Vavuniya

The families of the disappeared staged protests in Vavuniya and Kilinochchi last week, seeking justice from the international community.  

Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka: Protectionism creates illegal spice trade

<p>President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's blanket ban on the import of spices, intended to strengthen Sri Lanka's economy, has led to a growing black market.&nbsp;</p> <p>When Gotabaya took office as President, he promised that his government would focus on supporting domestic agriculture. His ban on the import of spices was intended to strengthen the Sri Lankan economy by promoting domestic production. However, the restrictions has created a turmeric shortage and a growing black market.&nbsp;</p>

Indian High Commissioner seeks Sri Lanka’s Buddhist blessings

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, met with senior members of the Sinhala Buddhist clergy last week, as he discussed the implementation of a USD $15 million grant for the “promotion of Buddhist ties between India and Sri Lanka”.

Praise without pressure - Newsletter, 2 November 2020

Sri Lanka’s prime minister and accused war criminal, Mahinda Rajapaksa featured as the ‘Chief Guest’ at a UN virtual event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the global body. Human Rights Watch called the move a “slap in the face for victims of human rights abuses and war crimes.” 
 

We don’t want to be caught up in this power game', Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary expresses concerns over Quad military alliance

During a virtual webinar, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, and accused war criminal, Jayanth Colombage expressed concern over the US-backed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Alliance (QUAD), asking:

“Do we really need a QUAD? Will QUAD not give rise – not to a cold war – but at least a cool war in the Indian ocean?”

Sri Lanka's growing COVID-19 cases hit Batticaloa's fishing industry

Fishermen in Batticaloa (Anton Croos)

Fishing activities have been severely affected in Batticaloa, following several cases of COVID-19 positive individuals identified at a wholesale fish market in Peliyagoda, a suburban area of Colombo.

Sri Lankan police reportedly recover weapons across East

Sri Lankan police made several arrests across the East in the past week, with illegal weapons allegedly recovered across the province.

In Amparai district, seven people were arrested last week, allegedly in possession of eight firearms during a police raid in Thirukkovil.

An individual was also arrested in connection with locally-made firearms and ammunition found in Thirukkovil as well as in Hikkaduwa in the South-West.

Last month, seven were arrested, including a former LTTE cadre, on allegations of possessing and manufacturing illegal firearms in Amparai. 

TNPF activists commemorating Thamilselvan will be 'taken away' threaten Sri Lankan police

Sri Lankan police warned Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) members and activists that they will be "taken away" if they commemorate Brigadier S P Thamilselvan today. 

 

Kilinochchi villages affected by coastal flooding

Coastal flooding has severely disrupted the lives and livelihoods of villages on the north-western coast of Kilinochchi district, and some parts of Jaffna.

“Around 25 boats have come ashore and have been wrecked by the flood on Thursday” confirmed a fisherman from the village of Pallikuda, just south of Poonakary.

The fishermen said that their fishing nets, crucial to their livelihood were also damaged.

As many as 365 fishing families are occupying the area and for many, their income stems from the sea. The floodwaters have encroached into homes and compromised essential water stored in wells.  

Remembering Thamilselvan 13 years on

Today marks thirteen years since S. P. Thamilselvan, the head of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was assassinated by the Sri Lankan air force (SLAF).

On November 2, 2007 Sri Lankan air force jets carried out a strike on a residence of members of the LTTE's political division. Five other LTTE officials - Lt. Col. Anpumani (Alex), Major Mikuthan, Major Nethaaji, Lt. Aadchiveal and Lt. Maavaikkumaran - were killed alongside Brigadier Thamilselvan, in the attack.

The assassination came as the Sri Lankan government ramped up its military offensive in the Tamil homeland.