Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Bharatanatyam world record in Colombo sparks row over recognition and costs
A Guinness World Record set by nearly 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers at Galle Face in Colombo has sparked controversy, after activists questioned why the official recognition was awarded to organisers and an overseas instructor rather than the thousands of performers who paid to take part. The SANGAMAM-2026 event, held on 14 June, saw 4,988 dancers successfully set a new Guinness World Record for…

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force provides weapons training to politician and businessmen

Apr 11, 2015

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force (STF) provided weapons training to a politician and 10 other businessmen, reports the Sunday Leader.

According to the paper, defence sources stated the training was provided after applications were submitted to obtain firearms.

No discussion on Prevention of Terrorism Act says Sri Lankan government minister

Apr 11, 2015

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa said the government will not be reviewing the country’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) until after 19th Amendment has been approved by parliament.

The Sunday Leader reported the minister as saying the government’s “full attention is now being given to passing the 19th Amendment” and matter such as the PTA will be taken up afterwards.

Tamil Sinhala new year represents renewed opportunity for Sri Lanka says US

Apr 11, 2015
The United States wished warmest greetings to those marking Tamil and Sinhala new year on April 14 and expressed hope for change.

"This New Year is marked by the extraordinary positive change that has occurred in Sri Lanka over the past several months and represents a renewed opportunity for the people of Sri Lanka to join together in the spirit of reconciliation, tolerance, and peace," the US Secretary of State, John Kerry said in a statement on Friday.

3 Indians arrested for alleged illegal trading

Apr 11, 2015
Three Indian nationals were arrested on Saturday for accused of violating their visas and engaging in trade illegally, reported the Daily Mirror.

The men, aged 24, 38 and 52, were arrested by the police in Kandy following a tip off by a member of the public, the paper said.

Sinhala Ravaya petitions against anthem being sung in Tamil

Apr 11, 2015

Sinhala Ravaya announced that it will be filing a petition in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court against an announcement to allow the Sri Lankan national anthem to be sung in Tamil.

Sinhala Ravaya chairman, a Buddhist monk called Akmeemana Dayarathna, said Sri Lanka’s National Executive Council (NEC) cannot make such a decision as it is illegal under the constitution, and his organisation will file a petition in the Supreme Court next week.

Tamil Nadu fishermen protest against continuing arrests by Sri Lanka

Apr 10, 2015

Photograph: The Hindu

Fishermen in Rameswaram staged a demonstration in protest of the continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen and the confiscation of their boats, The Hindu reported.

Members of all mechanised boats fishermen associations, raised slogans against the Sri Lankan navy for intimidating the Indian fishermen when they ventured into sea.

Fishermen leader P. Sesu Raja urged Delhi to press Sri Lanka to secure the release of boats and fishermen arrested after the third round of talks with their Lankan counterparts in Chennai on March 24.

John Kerry to visit Sri Lanka in May - reports

Apr 10, 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Sri Lanka in the first week of May, according to news reports.

The State Department has not confirmed Secretary Kerry's visit yet, but the Ceylon Today, quoting "reliable government sources", says Sri Lanka's parliament will be dissolved for the elections only after Mr Kerry's visit, who was invited by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera during his trip to Washington in February.

If confirmed, John Kerry would be the highest-ranking US official to visit Sri Lanka in years.

No 'shortcuts' to reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN official

Apr 10, 2015
The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Mr Pablo de Greiff, said following his visit this month to Sri Lanka that the "creation of initiatives that satisfy legally binding rights to truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence" were complementary elements of a reconcilialion policy, adding that there were "no 'shortcuts' to reconciliation".

Mr Grieff visited the island from March 30 to April 3 and travelled to the North-East, including Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Batticaloa.

In a statement released on Saturday, Mr Grieff pointed to the potential of Sri Lanka to build a sustainable peace, but added that "most of the work necessary to redress violations and abuses, however, is still to be done."

570 acres released in Valikamam says Sri Lankan army

Apr 10, 2015
The Sri Lankan army said on Friday that it had released 570 acres of land in Valali and Kankasanthurai, in the Valikamam region of Jaffna district.

"Under today's phase, 397 acres from Kankasanthurai South and 173 acres from Valali in the Valikamam sector have now been released to the District Secretariat, thus completing the extent of 1000 acres assured by the Government," the army was quoted as saying by Colombo Page.

"Under today's phase, 397 acres from Kankasanthurai South and 173 acres from Valali in the Valikamam sector have now been released to the District Secretariat, thus completing the extent of 1000 acres assured by the Government," the Army reportedly added in a statement.

Sri Lankan minister holds Buddhist ceremony to invoke blessings on 'war heroes'

Apr 10, 2015


Sri Lanka's state minister of defence held a Buddhist ceremony on Friday in order to "invoke blessings on war heroes who had sacrificed their lives during the fight against terrorism", the ministry of defence's official website reported.

No discussion on Prevention of Terrorism Act says Sri Lankan government minister
Tamil Sinhala new year represents renewed opportunity for Sri Lanka says US
3 Indians arrested for alleged illegal trading
Sinhala Ravaya petitions against anthem being sung in Tamil
Tamil Nadu fishermen protest against continuing arrests by Sri Lanka
John Kerry to visit Sri Lanka in May - reports
No 'shortcuts' to reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN official
570 acres released in Valikamam says Sri Lankan army
Sri Lankan minister holds Buddhist ceremony to invoke blessings on 'war heroes'
No obstacles for Mahinda Rajapksa to contest at Sri Lanka's general elections says Sirisena
No discussion on Prevention of Terrorism Act says Sri Lankan government minister
Tamil Sinhala new year represents renewed opportunity for Sri Lanka says US
3 Indians arrested for alleged illegal trading
Sinhala Ravaya petitions against anthem being sung in Tamil
Tamil Nadu fishermen protest against continuing arrests by Sri Lanka
John Kerry to visit Sri Lanka in May - reports
No 'shortcuts' to reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN official
570 acres released in Valikamam says Sri Lankan army
Sri Lankan minister holds Buddhist ceremony to invoke blessings on 'war heroes'
No obstacles for Mahinda Rajapksa to contest at Sri Lanka's general elections says Sirisena