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…

Over 2000 Sri Lankan army deserters take up amnesty

Apr 6, 2015
Over 2000 Sri Lankan army deserters took up the government's offer last month of general amnesty and reported to their regiments, the Ministry of Defence said.

The amnesty, which is due to end on April 16, allows deserters to obtain legal discharge from duty.

Related article: Amnesty for Sri Lankan army deserters (25 Mar 2015)

Sri Lanka awards scholarships for children of military 'war heroes'

Apr 6, 2015
Children of Sri Lankan military personnel who were killed or severely injured were given scholarships on Monday, in a ceremony at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRS) in Colombo.

One hundred and two children received such scholarships at the event, which organised by the Ranaviru Seva Authority, chaired by the wife of the former army general, Sarath Fonseka.

Sri Lanka signs six agreements with Pakistan to enhance cooperation

Apr 5, 2015
Sri Lanka signed six agreements with Pakistan on Monday, aimed at increasing bilateral cooperation.

The agreements were signed by Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif and the Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena, who is currently in Islamabad on a three day state visit.

TNA is largest party outside of ruling government says R Sampanthan

Apr 5, 2015
Highlighting that the former ruling coalition and opposition parties were now both in the new government, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)  said  that it was the largest party in parliament outside of government, on Sunday.

“The UPFA is part of the government now. So we are the largest party in the opposition,” the TNA leader R Sampanthan, told journalists.

Ranil criticised for snubbing NPC

Apr 5, 2015
Sri Lanka's prime minister, Ranil Wickremasinghe, was criticised by members of the Northern Provincial Council for dismissing the chief minister, C. V. Wigneswaran during a recent three day visit to the North.

Speaking to the New Indian Express on Sunday, a member of the NPC said: “This is an affront to the elected provincial council. He has devalued the NPC and the office of CM."

Tamil Nadu chief minister urges firm message to Sri Lanka over arrests

Apr 5, 2015
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, O Panneerselvam, urged the Indian prime minister to ensure a "firm, clear, unequivocal and unambiguous" response to Sri Lanka's recent arrest of 37 fishermen, reports The Hindu.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, Mr Paneerselvam wrote:

“It is unfortunate that this incident has taken place immediately after the third round of fishermen-level talks which were held at Chennai on March 24."

Gang raped school girl's body exhumed in Vavuniya

Apr 5, 2015
Photograph Tamilwin


The body of a Vanni school girl who was gang-raped and died on February 27 was exhumed on Monday, as sent for a post-mortem in Colombo, reports Colombo Mirror.

New Sri Lanka govt has not led to anticipated change says Wigneswaran

Apr 5, 2015
Photograph Tamil Guardian

The chief minister of the Northern province, C V Wigneswaran, told the visiting Australian High Commissioner, Robyn Mudie on Monday that the change in government in Sri Lanka had failed to produce the changes that the Tamils' had expected.

"The ground situation post regime change and issues which were expected to take place after the change of government, but have failed to take place were discussed," Mr Wigneswaran said, speaking to journalists afterwards.

“She asked me what kind of advantages and disadvantages had the political change brought among the people," Mr Wigneswaran continued.  “The change of government has not given us anything we had anticipated," he reportedly replied.

Japanese navy ships visit Sri Lanka

Apr 5, 2015

Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships docked in Colombo last week, where they were welcomed by the Sri Lankan navy.

Sri Lankan army in Northern school donating water pump and shoes

Apr 5, 2015


The Sri Lankan army was in the Kanapathypillai school of Navakkadu in Jaffna on March 26, to donate an electric water pump.

Sri Lanka awards scholarships for children of military 'war heroes'
Sri Lanka signs six agreements with Pakistan to enhance cooperation
TNA is largest party outside of ruling government says R Sampanthan
Ranil criticised for snubbing NPC
Tamil Nadu chief minister urges firm message to Sri Lanka over arrests
Gang raped school girl's body exhumed in Vavuniya
New Sri Lanka govt has not led to anticipated change says Wigneswaran
Japanese navy ships visit Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan army in Northern school donating water pump and shoes
Sri Lankan military and Buddhist monks open temple expansion in North-East
Sri Lanka awards scholarships for children of military 'war heroes'
Sri Lanka signs six agreements with Pakistan to enhance cooperation
TNA is largest party outside of ruling government says R Sampanthan
Ranil criticised for snubbing NPC
Tamil Nadu chief minister urges firm message to Sri Lanka over arrests
Gang raped school girl's body exhumed in Vavuniya
New Sri Lanka govt has not led to anticipated change says Wigneswaran
Japanese navy ships visit Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan army in Northern school donating water pump and shoes
Sri Lankan military and Buddhist monks open temple expansion in North-East