Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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The Tamil Nadu chief minister, Vijay, made a brief reference to Eelam Tamils during a speech in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday, recalling his participation in a 2008 hunger strike in support of Tamils during the final stages of the armed conflict, in remarks that looked back to his own activism rather than to the realities facing Tamils in the North-East today. "Back in 2008, we…

Mass hartals as businesses express solidarity with families of disappeared

Business across the North held hartals today to express their solidarity with families of the disappeared protesting in Kilinochchi this morning. 

Iranaitivu residents still lack basic facilities

Families from Irainativu have complained that they still lack basic facilities, including clean water and electricity, almost a year since reclaiming their island from Sri Lankan navy occupation.

In April 2018 Iranaitivu residents sailed to the island in around 200 boats to peacefully reclaim the island from the navy, after years of failed campaigns for the island’s release.

Mannar Muslim protesters file complaint against Sri Lanka navy threats

Muslim protesters in Mannar have filed a complaint against the Sri Lankan navy at the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL).

Residents of Silavathurai who have been protesting since Wednesday for the release of their lands from navy occupation made the complaint on Friday, stating that they were being intimidated and photographed by navy personnel.

The protest is calling for the return of 36 acres, belonging to 218 households, currently occupied by a navy camp.

Mannar residents accuse Forestry Dept of land grabs

Residents in Mannar demanded authorities stop the Department of Forest Conversation's acquisition of paddy fields land in Nanattan. 

Sirisena wants to withdraw from UNHRC resolution

Sri Lanka's president Maithripala Sirisena said he wishes the country could withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council resolution that it co-sponsored, in an interview to the Sunday Times

"I would wish we can withdraw from it. Discussions are now on over this matter," he was quoted by the Colombo based paper as saying. 

Families of disappeared call for US intervention

Families of the disappeared travelled to the Nallur temple in Jaffna today to hold a signature campaign as part of their ongoing protest. 

Ex-navy chief named in abduction and murder of 11 youths

A former Sri Lankan navy chief, Wasantha Karannagoda, the 14th suspect named in the abduction and murder of 11 primarily Tamil youths between 2008 - 2009 had his passport impounded on Friday by Colombo Fort Magistrate. 

Rajapaksa objects to police investigation into parliament brawl

Sri Lanka’s opposition has objected to police investigating into the brawls which took place in the country’s parliament during its political crisis, claiming violations of parliamentary privilege and taking issue with ‘outsider’ intervention into the incidents.

Father hacked to death in Kilinochchi

A father of one was found hacked to death near the Dharmapuram reservoir, Kilinochchi. 

Batticaloa residents condemn PTA and CTA

Locals in Batticaloa yesterday held a demonstration condemning Sri Lanka's current anti-terror legislation, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA).