Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Chemmani mass grave toll reaches 366 ahead of ministerial visit
The number of skeletal remains identified at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna has risen to 366, as excavators uncovered further remains of children on Tuesday, at one of the largest mass graves unearthed on the island and a site long tied to the enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing of Tamils by the Sri Lankan military. Six sets of skeletal remains, including those of children,…

Tamils across North-East Sri Lanka demand release of disappeared in new wave of protests

Feb 8, 2015

Hundreds of Tamils protested across the North-East demanding the new government to release and reveal the whereabouts of their detained and disappeared, whilst calling for an international probe into the whereabouts of the disappeared.

Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka

Feb 8, 2015

The 33rd naval fleet of Iran's navy, docked in Colombo on Monday, where it will be conducting a three day visit.

Senior Sri Lankan navy officials are scheduled to meet with the Iranian naval personnel onboard during their stay.

Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers

Feb 8, 2015
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka called on the new president, Maithripala Sirisena to withdraw his renewal of powers allowing the military to maintain public order.

Last week President Sirisena, renewed an Extraordinary Gazette notification which called on the military to ensure security and law and order within the island if the police could not.

The Bar Association said there was "no lawful justification to maintain the order", reports Colombo Page.

Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC

Feb 8, 2015
Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera, embarked on a visit of key state capitals ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's 28th session, which is due to begin next month.

Mr Samaraweera, who left Sri Lanka on Sunday for the UK, is scheduled to arrive in the US later this week where he is to meet with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

He is also due to visit China later this month, the foreign affairs ministry said.

I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya

Feb 8, 2015
The former Sri Lankan defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he does not fear retribution by the new government for his role in the allegations of the mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people, stating that the people of Sri Lanka still appreciated the former regime's actions.

Asked if he feared retribution by the new regime in Sri Lanka or even a witch hunt by Western nations now that he was no longer in power, Mr Gotabaya told an Indian journalist this week:
"I do not fear any retribution from any quarter or Western witch hunts. We knew the risks involved when we took on the LTTE despite resistance from interested nations. We fought terrorism to a finish because that was our duty by our nation. The people of Sri Lanka still appreciate the sacrifices we made and the risks we took."

Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission

Feb 8, 2015

A Sri Lankan army contingent is leaving the island for UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon, according to the army's website.

The 9th Sri Lanka’s Force Protection Unit (9 SLFPU) will join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), replacing the 8th contingent, currently serving in the Levant.

A passing out parade was inspected by suspected war criminal Major General Jagath Dias at a ceremony in Kurunegala.

The deployment will be made up of 10 officers and 140 other soldiers from various regiments, including those which served in the armed conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The army is accused of committing mass atrocities, including rape, torture and extrajudicial killings during the intense fighting, particularly in the final phase.

Tamils in Mullaitivu demand new Sri Lanka govt returns disappeared loved ones

Feb 7, 2015
Placard reads: "We voted for change. Will you change our lives????"

Tamils in Mullaitivu protested on Sunday calling on the new Sri Lankan government to return their missing loved ones and release all political prisoners, almost six years after the end of the armed conflict.

Placards read: "New government, release our loved ones", "Wanted, wanted, international investigation is wanted", "Tears formed thinking of our missing loved one".

Holding photographs of their missing children, parents, together with local Tamil politicians, protested in front of the Mullaitivu district office.

In a letter to the government body, the 'Association of Families Searching for their disappeared relatives - Mannar District,', calling for forcibly disappeared Tamils to be returned, said,

"As the commissions formed by the government failed to find a solution for the affected people, the people who were affected are expecting an international intervention to give them an unbiased solution, on behalf of those who made to disappear. "
 

New Sri Lankan govt extends detention law by 2 years

Feb 7, 2015
Sri Lanka's new government this week extended a controversial detention law which allows police to detain suspects of serious crimes for 48 hours without a warrant, by another two years.

A Gazette notification was issued by the minister of justice, the Sri Lanka's Sunday Times reported.

Sri Lanka's domestic 'missing persons' commission delays conclusion

Feb 7, 2015
The Sri Lankan government's domestic commission investigating disappearances has further delayed its conclusion, reporting that it will now finalise proceedings on 15 August 2015.

The Presidential Commission to Investigate Missing Persons was initially due to conclude on 15 February 2015. It has now been granted a further 6 months, H W Gunadasa, Secretary of the Commission told the Sunday Leader.

The United National Party, in opposition at the time the commission was announced, slammed the domestic inquiry – suggesting it was a betrayal of Sri Lankan soldiers.

UN Sec Gen reiterates call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry

Feb 6, 2015
The United Nations Secretary General on Tuesday reiterated calls for the Sri Lankan government to co-operate with the UN inquiry into mass atrocities against the Tamil people.

When about the UN response to the Sri Lankan government’s considerations of starting a new local inquiry, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s spokesperson, Stehpane Dujarric, at a press briefing said,
Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers
Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC
I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Tamils in Mullaitivu demand new Sri Lanka govt returns disappeared loved ones
New Sri Lankan govt extends detention law by 2 years
Sri Lanka's domestic 'missing persons' commission delays conclusion
UN Sec Gen reiterates call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry
No final decision made on 'Port City Project' says Ranil
Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers
Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC
I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Tamils in Mullaitivu demand new Sri Lanka govt returns disappeared loved ones
New Sri Lankan govt extends detention law by 2 years
Sri Lanka's domestic 'missing persons' commission delays conclusion
UN Sec Gen reiterates call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry
No final decision made on 'Port City Project' says Ranil