Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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‘Before we too pass away’ - Tamil families appeal to UN over Chemmani mass graves
The Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappeared in the North-East (ARED) has appealed to the United Nations to ensure an international investigation into enforced disappearances and mass graves across the Tamil homeland, including the ongoing excavations at Chemmani, where more than 380 human skeletal remains have been uncovered. In a letter dated 19 June 2026, the association called…

Charges filed in Switzerland over $15.2 million LTTE funds

Jul 20, 2016
Charges have been filed against 13 Tamils in Switzerland who are accused of allegedly raising $15.2 million in funds for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during late 1990s until early 2000s.

"They have been indicted with supporting or being members of a criminal organisation, fraud, false certification, and money laundering," the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) was quoted by Reuters as saying on Wednesday.

See more here . 

Jaffna Uni Student Union leader released on bail

Jul 19, 2016

The Jaffna Uni Student Union leader was released on bail on Wednesday after being detained by police following violent clashes between Tamil and Sinhala students at the university.

D Sasintharan was produced before the courts on Wednesday morning and released with 2 lakhs surity. A trial date has been set at Jaffna Magistrate Court for August 25th.

OMP bill designed to 'persecute' armed forces says Rajapaksa

Jul 19, 2016
The former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa said the government's Office of Missing Persons Bill was designed to "persecute" Sri Lanka's armed forces and said that MPs who vote for it would be responsible for betraying the country and armed forces.

“In the midst of all the political and economic chaos in the country, the government has placed before parliament draft legislation to set up an OMP. This is one of several institutions to be established ‘to deal with the past’ in terms of the UNHRC resolution that the Yahapalana government co-sponsored with the Western powers in September last year,” he was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying in a statement.

EU discusses implementation of resolution with Sri Lanka

Jul 19, 2016
The European Union discussed the implementation of the UN Human Rights Council resolution with Sri Lanka this week at the 20th meeting of the EU - Sri Lanka Joint Commission, which took place on July 19th in Brussels.

"The parties noted the progress made and indicated that further measures would be pursued and progress would continue for the implementation of the resolution," the EU said in a statement following the meeting.

"Progress with regard to the release of land and the normalisation of the life in the North and East of the country, the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the release or prosecution of detainees held under the PTA, and the establishment of the transitional mechanisms for truth, reconciliation, justice and reparations were also discussed."

Former Tamil local council member released after detention at Colombo airport

Jul 19, 2016

Sinhala Buddhist monks and Sri Lankan police threaten Tamil fishermen

Jul 19, 2016

Sinhala Buddhist monks, accompanied by Sri Lankan police and Sinhalese fishermen, threatened a group of Tamil fishermen in Mullaitivu on Tuesday, as tensions continued to flare in the region between the two groups.

The Tamil fishermen, who were setting up to dry their daily catch in Kokkilai, were approached by a group of Sinhalese fishermen on Tuesday. Accompanied by a local Buddhist monk and Sri Lankan police officers, the Sinhalese group proceeded to threaten the Tamils and destroying their equipment they said.

Jaffna prison inmates launch hunger strike

Jul 18, 2016
Inmates at Jaffna prison have launched a hunger strike this morning, according to latest reports.

At least 18 inmates are reported to have joined the hunger strike, with reports that an even larger number had commenced the protest this morning.

Daily Mirror and Adaderana report police officials as stating that the prisoners involved in the protest are being held on drug smuggling charges.

Tamil IDPs postpone protest after reassurances from TNA leader

Jul 18, 2016

Displaced Tamil villagers in Mullaitivu have postponed a planned hunger strike after assurances from Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan that they would soon be returned to their rightful land.

A hunger strike was initially planned by IDPs in Keppapilavu for Tuesday, to protest against the Sri Lankan military grab of hundreds acres of land belonging to Tamil villagers.

Approximately 524 acres of land has been occupied by the Sri Lankan military since 2009, leaving villagers stranded in temporary resettlement.

Jaffna University to begin reopening as officials start inquiry into clashes

Jul 18, 2016

Jaffna University vice chancellor Prof Vasanthi Arasaratnam said that teaching is set to resume at the university on Wednesday, after she announced the appointment of a committee to investigate clashes between Sinhala and Tamil students on the weekend.

The university will begin a phased return to teaching with the medical faculty, 'Sithar' medical unit, engineering faculty and agricultural faculty resuming normal activities from Wednesday.

Buddhist clergy back Sirisena's rejection of foreign judges

Jul 18, 2016
Sri Lanka's powerful Buddhist clergy backed the president's rejection of foreign judges within a war crimes inquiry.

The chief secretary of the Asgiriya Buddhist chapter, Dr Medagama Dhammananda said "there was no need for the Government to succumb to international pressure concerning the matter."
Jaffna Uni Student Union leader released on bail
OMP bill designed to 'persecute' armed forces says Rajapaksa
EU discusses implementation of resolution with Sri Lanka
Former Tamil local council member released after detention at Colombo airport
Sinhala Buddhist monks and Sri Lankan police threaten Tamil fishermen
Jaffna prison inmates launch hunger strike
Tamil IDPs postpone protest after reassurances from TNA leader
Jaffna University to begin reopening as officials start inquiry into clashes
Buddhist clergy back Sirisena's rejection of foreign judges
UN tourism conference criticised for ignoring human rights
Jaffna Uni Student Union leader released on bail
OMP bill designed to 'persecute' armed forces says Rajapaksa
EU discusses implementation of resolution with Sri Lanka
Former Tamil local council member released after detention at Colombo airport
Sinhala Buddhist monks and Sri Lankan police threaten Tamil fishermen
Jaffna prison inmates launch hunger strike
Tamil IDPs postpone protest after reassurances from TNA leader
Jaffna University to begin reopening as officials start inquiry into clashes
Buddhist clergy back Sirisena's rejection of foreign judges
UN tourism conference criticised for ignoring human rights