Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The arithmetic of a grave
This week, the number of skeletal remains uncovered at Chemmani reached a stark record of 387. With that figure, a patch of earth on the edge of Jaffna town became the largest mass grave ever uncovered on the island, surpassing the 376 remains recovered at Mannar. Recent days alone have seen the bodies of several children exhumed, alongside beads and bangles. These are the contents of the…

Indian foreign minister to visit Sri Lanka Feb 5

Jan 20, 2016

India's foreign affairs minister, Sushma Swaraj, is to visit Sri Lanka on Feburary 5th for the Sri Lanka-India Joint Commission in Colombo, the Daily News reported.

Her scheduled visit was preceded by that of India's foreign secretary, Mr Jaishankar, who visited the island earlier this month.

 

Speaking last year, following the Indian prime minister's visit to Sri Lanka, Ms Swaraj had stressed the need for “equality, justice, peace and dignity” for Tamils on the island.

EU reiterates need for Sri Lanka to fully implement resolution

Jan 20, 2016
The EU trade delegation currently visiting Sri Lanka on Thursday reiterated the need for country to fully implement the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution, reported Colombo Gazette.

The remarks were made during the first meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the European Union-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, which was held at the ministry of foreign affairs in Colombo.

According to the news site, both the EU and the Sri Lankan officials present highlighted the full implementation of the resolution as a priority.

Kilinochchi land being sold illegally

Jan 19, 2016

Hundreds of acres of land in Kilinochchi have been illegally sold to Sinhalese, locals have claimed.

Fraudulent documentation has been used so far to sell around 860 acres of land in villages in Poonakari, Kilinochchi.

A former army officer that served in Thenmaradchi is also understood to have bought several million rupees worth of land in the area.

Tamil Nadu governor demands justice for genocide in Sri Lanka

Jan 19, 2016
Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah called on the Indian government to ensure justice is served for war crimes and genocide committed by the Sri Lankan government, against Tamils on the island.

Addressing the Tamil Nadu State Assembly, Dr Rosiah said Tamils across the world were outraged over the atrocities committed and recalled that the State Assembly had passed resolutions calling for justice for genocide.

''I hope the Central Government will take serious note of various resolutions passed by this Assembly and take appropriate action to persuade the Sri Lankan Government to restore their lands to the affected Tamils, thus providing equal rights and an opportunity to live peacefully with dignity'' said the governor. “It should ensure equal rights and an opportunity to live peacefully with dignity.”

Sri Lanka ready to ‘share lessons’ with international community says prime minister

Jan 19, 2016
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said his government had “consolidated democracy and revived the economy” in an essay published as the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos kicked off on Wednesday.

“A new era has dawned in Sri Lanka,” said Mr Wickremsinghe, adding that “peace has been consolidated” on the island.

Mr Wickremesinghe said his government was ready to “play its full role as a responsible member of the global community of nations,” and was “well placed to play a constructive role in addressing the pressing international issues of the day, such as terrorism, climate change, migration and strengthening democratic values”.

In his essay, Mr Wickremesinghe went on to add his government was bolstering Sri Lanka’s democracy by “reasserting the independence of the judiciary, combating bribery with the UN Convention Against Corruption and allowing a free and vibrant press to flourish”.

Yet, Sri Lankan continues to rank 6th in the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) 2015 Global Impunity Index published in October 2015, with both the Jaffna Press Club and Northern Provincial Council calling for justice for murdered journalists.

Sri Lankan president ‘more committed to national security than ever before’

Jan 19, 2016
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena stated he was “more committed in upholding the national security better than ever before” as he called for “moves to crush active LTTE ideology”.

Speaking at a ceremony for disabled Sri Lankan soldiers on Tuesday, the official Ministry of Defence website quotes Mr Sirisena as stating “the present government is progressively more committed in upholding the national security better than ever before”.

Mr Sirisena went on to add that “the dream of Ealam subsists in overseas” and “moves to crush active LTTE ideology is the greater responsibility that has befallen us which also needs the global support”.

“We have determined to thwart such actions of carrying LTTE ideology wherever and have the compliance of the international community for same,” added the president, stating that “ties with the foreign countries were further strengthened while reopening avenues for military training during the last year.”

EU trade delegation meets with TNA

Jan 19, 2016

The European Union trade delegation, currently visiting Sri Lanka for discussion regarding the regaining of GSP+, met with the Tamil National Alliance on Wednesday.

Exiled Tamil journalist detained on return to Sri Lanka

Jan 19, 2016
Reports emerged on Wednesday night that an exiled Tamil journalist from the North-East had been arrested on arrival at Sri Lanka earlier during the day.

The journalist, who reportedly returned after being invited by the new government, was arrested at Katunayake airport.

It is not clear what the alleged offence is. He is expected to be produced before Negombo Magistrate Court on Thursday morning.

Sri Lankan president says all IDPs in North resettled within 6 months

Jan 19, 2016
The Sri Lankan president said on Wednesday that all internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Northern province would be resettled within six months.

His remarks came during a discussion at the presidential secretariat on the continued displacement of Tamils.

The president has instructed officials to identify land and develop the necessary infrastructure in the North, the Colombo Page reported.

India and Sri Lanka commence bi-lateral army talks in Delhi

Jan 19, 2016
India and Sri Lanka commenced 3-day talks between Army officials in New Delhi on Wednesday, reports Colombo Page.

A Sri Lankan military delegation led by the Military Secretary at Army Headquarters engaged in the fifth consecutive bi-lateral talks between the two armies in New Delhi.

The talks, attended by India’s Director General Military Training Lieutenant will focus on administration, logistic and training support.
EU reiterates need for Sri Lanka to fully implement resolution
Kilinochchi land being sold illegally
Tamil Nadu governor demands justice for genocide in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka ready to ‘share lessons’ with international community says prime minister
Sri Lankan president ‘more committed to national security than ever before’
EU trade delegation meets with TNA
Exiled Tamil journalist detained on return to Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan president says all IDPs in North resettled within 6 months
India and Sri Lanka commence bi-lateral army talks in Delhi
Sri Lanka’s constitutional framework must ‘promote power-sharing and right to self determination’ - Wigneswaran
EU reiterates need for Sri Lanka to fully implement resolution
Kilinochchi land being sold illegally
Tamil Nadu governor demands justice for genocide in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka ready to ‘share lessons’ with international community says prime minister
Sri Lankan president ‘more committed to national security than ever before’
EU trade delegation meets with TNA
Exiled Tamil journalist detained on return to Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan president says all IDPs in North resettled within 6 months
India and Sri Lanka commence bi-lateral army talks in Delhi
Sri Lanka’s constitutional framework must ‘promote power-sharing and right to self determination’ - Wigneswaran