Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A newly published study has identified the earliest scientifically confirmed evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back around 3,460 years and overturning an erroneous long-held Sri Lankan assumption that the region was largely uninhabited until much later. The study, published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology and led by…

Sri Lankan soldiers construct new buildings for Buddhist vihara in Batticaloa

The Sri Lankan military announced that it had constructed new buildings for a Buddhist vihara in Batticaloa last week, as the armed forces continue their close involvement with Buddhism across the North-East.

India seeks to internationalise Jaffna airport

India’s state run airport development authority intends to develop plans for Jaffna’s Palaly airport to have international connectivity with places in South India, Malaysia and Thailand, the Times of India reports. 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has entered into an agreement with India’s ministry of external affairs to produce a comprehensive report on the development of the airport, which remains under Sri Lankan military control. 

World Bank commits $200m for Sri Lanka's public health services

The World Bank has committed $200 million to improve Sri Lanka's public health services.

The development project will be aimed at improving Sri Lanka's performance on controlling non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, malnutrition and enhancing health systems. 

The International Development Association will be financing the projecting, Sri Lanka's minister for health, nutrition and indigenous medicine, Rajitha Senaratne told participants of the Second Health Sector Development Project in Colombo on Sunday. 
 

Sirisena says he wanted to send a message to other embassies

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena, who recalled the country's ambassador to Austria for not answering his call said this week that he did so in order to "send a message to other embassies as well". 

Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera and five other embassy staff were recalled from their service for leaving Sirisena's phonecalls "unanswered for several hours". 

Commenting on the incident, Sirisena said that he had tried to contact the embassy for four and half hours. 

Youth arrested in Mullaitivu

Police arrested a Tamil youth in Mullaitivu, accusing him of being involved in sword attacks in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area. 

Officers claimed they had received 'secret' information connecting the 25-year-old man to the crimes.

A sword was allegedly found in his possession. 

TID interviews Jaffna editors over Tamil homeland display

Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division on Sunday took statements from the editors of the three Jaffna based newspapers in relation to a Tamil homeland display at a temple festival in Aanaikkottai. 

The editors of Uthayan, Valampuri and Thinakkural were questioned following approval by Jaffna Magistrate Court. 

Last month the TID summoned five Tamils along with a journalist, Uthayarasa Shalin to their Colombo office for an inquiry. 

Sri Lanka slams Nomura for assessment of exchange rate crisis

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has come out to reject a report by Nomura, which placed most at risk of an exchange rate crisis earlier this month.

Instead Sri Lanka’s central bank has claimed the ‘Damocles score’ published by Nomura is a “rudimentary attempt” and that the “report has not undergone a thorough review before publication”.

New Pongu Tamil declaration monument unveiled at Jaffna University

A new monument commemorating the 2001 Pongu Tamil declaration was unveiled at Jaffna University on Monday.

Joint Indian-Sri Lankan military exercise in Trinco ends

A joint military exercise between Sri Lankan and India in Trincomalee concluded this week, as the Sri Lankan government continues to build military relations despite human rights concerns.

Sri Lankan president will ask UN to drop war crimes charges

Sri Lanka’s president will ask the United Nations not pursue accountability for war crimes committed by Sri Lankan troops and will instead call on the Human Rights Council to “remove these charges”.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo last week, Maithripala Sirisena said that he "will also make a written request to the Human Rights Council to settle the allegations against our troops".