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…

Police confront Mullaitivu fishermen protesting against illegal Sinhala fishing

Riot police confronted fishermen in Mullaitivu protesting against illegal fishing by Sinhala fishermen. 

Fishermen tried to enter the department of fisheries and aquatic resources, accusing the department of accepting bribes from Sinhala fishermen to enable them to fish in the region unlawfully.

Government is taxing all commodities says Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa criticised the government today, stating that they had imposed taxes on all commodities. 

Speaking at a religious ceremony at a Buddhist vihara in Kadawatha, Mr Rajapaksa was quoted by Adaderana as saying, "the government might be able to control the public but not the Maha Sangha". 

"Increasing the import tax on small cars is not a strange thing when the government imposed a tax on temple donation boxes," he added, drawing attention to the government's decision to increase import tax on small hybrid cars. 

IPKF massacre in Valvai remembered

The massacre of 63 Tamils in cold-blood by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) in Valvai on August 2, 1989 was remembered today 29 years on. 

IPKF officers, led by Brigadier Sankar Prasath, entered homes in the region after imposing a curfew and shot and stabbed residents to death.

Some young men were dragged to the local junction where they were shot and killed. 

Tamil man arrested in Germany over alleged war crimes

A Tamil man has been arrested in Germany accused of war crimes and being a member of a ‘foreign terrorist organisation’, reports AP.

The 36-year-old identified as Sivatheeban B is accused of tying up 16 captured Sri Lankan soldiers in 2008, guarding them and driving them to a site where they were allegedly shot.

Prosecutors allege he was a member of the LTTE between 2006 and 2009.

Mr Sivatheeban is being detained pending a potential indictment.

Militarising healthcare: Sri Lankan army holds dental clinic in Kilinochchi

The Sri Lankan military continued its involvement in civilian activities, holding a dental clinic in Kilinochchi earlier this year.

Sri Lankan police leave cancelled in Jaffna as security presence ramps up

Sri Lankan police personnel station in several areas across Jaffna have had their leave cancelled, as the security presence in the peninsula is increased.

The Daily Mirror reports that in Koppay, Chunnakam and Mannipay, the Sri Lankan Police’s Senior DIG in Jaffna cancelled leave for officers, with “special police operations” underway.

The announcement comes as the police announced a ‘special’ motorcycle police team has been deployed in Jaffna to deal with rising violent crimes.

Former LTTE cadre's home in Kilinochchi attacked

A former LTTE cadre's home in Kilinochchi was attacked in the early hours of Wednesday.

The home of K. Sivakumar in Vaddakkachchi was attacked around 2.30am by unknown persons. His motorbike was also damaged.

When Mr Sivakumar went to Tharmapuram Police Station to report the attack, he was told to come back later as there were no Tamil-speaking police officers.

He was again turned away when he went back, with police saying the incident occurred under the catchment of Ramanathapuram Police.

The complaint was finally filed at Ramanathapuram Police Station.

Special police teams deployed to tackle violent crime in Jaffna

A ‘special’ motorcycle police team has been deployed in Jaffna to deal with rising violent crimes in the district.

The Assistant Superintendent of Jaffna Police Station said that the team had been deployed to patrol areas including Jaffna, Koppay, Manippay and Chunnakam.

The Assistant Superintendent said a further 100 civil police officials had been engaged in duty too and that the police aimed to crackdown on crime in one or two weeks.

Tamil families of the disappeared open campaign office in Amparai

The association of Tamil families of the disappeared based in Amparai opened a district office in Thirukkovil on Wednesday.

The office will serve as a base for the districts families of the disappeared to organise and campaign.

Rajapaksa's former Chief of Staff told to appear before special corruption court

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former Chief of Staff and three others have been issued notices to appear before a Special High Court this month.

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General last week filed indictments against former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's Chief of Staff Gamini Senarath along with former Executive Director of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) Piyadasa Kudabalage, Director General of the Samurdhi Development Department Neil Bandara Hapuhinna and Lasantha Bandara.

They were charged of illegally investing Rs. 500 million of public funds in private hospitality companies without cabinet approval.