Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Jaffna and Palaly protests mark 36 years since Valikamam North displacement
Displaced residents of the Valikamam North region of Jaffna held protests on Monday, in front of the Jaffna District Secretariat and near Palaly Junction, marking 36 years since their forced displacement and demanding the right to return and resettle in their lands. The people of Valikamam North were displaced from their homeland on 15 June 1990 by the Sri Lankan military. Thirty-six years on…

USAID calls off voter education programme

Jul 5, 2014

A USAID sponsored programme aimed at voter education has been called off, after pressure from the Sri Lankan government, including Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The programme, called 'educating voters so as to help with elections in the country', was advertised in several national papers, but civil society organisations have now been informed that the funds have been withdrawn and no applications are being taken, reported Ceylon Today.

NFF threatens to withdraw from ruling coalition if Sri Lanka allows South Africa involvement

Jul 5, 2014
The National Freedom Front spokesman, Mohammad Muzammil, said that the party would consider leaving the ruling coalition if the Sri Lankan government allowed South Africa to become involved in the country’s internal affairs.

Muzammil said that the visit of South Africa’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka and Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC) would not be viewed favourably, reports Colombo page.

Dalai Lama urges Buddhists to end anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka and Myanmar

Jul 5, 2014
The spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama, Sunday reiterated calls for Buddhists in Myanmar and Sri Lanka to halt violence against Muslims, reports AlJazeera.

"I urge the Buddhists in these countries to imagine an image of Buddha before they commit such a crime," said Dalai Lama speaking to thousands of his followers at an event to mark his 79th birthday in the Himalayas.


Tamils protest against SL military land grabs in North-East

Jul 4, 2014
Tamils in the North-East, on Friday,  protested against Sri Lankan military land grabs in Kilinochichi.

The protest, which was organised by the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), took place outside the Kilinochichi district secretariat and demanded that the Sri Lankan military vacate appropriated land.

Speaking at the end of the protest, the Tamil National Alliance MP Saravanabavan, said that the Sri Lankan government, responsible for military occupation of the North-East, continue to occupy thousands of acres of Tamil land whilst telling the UN that the Tamils were happy and resettled.

UK to deport Tamil to Sri Lanka despite evidence of rape and torture

Jul 4, 2014
The British government is to deport a Tamil woman back to Sri Lanka, despite claims that she was repeatedly raped by Sri Lankan soldiers, reports Channel 4 News.

The Tamil woman, who came to the UK to seek asylum in 2010, was repeatedly raped while held in detention by Sri Lankan soldiers after the end of the armed conflict in 2009.

The woman’s asylum case was turned down by the British Home Office despite serious concerns for her safety when she is handed back to Sri Lankan authorities and evidence of previous rape and torture.

Expert evidence analysed by Channel 4 News further found that the woman suffered from PTSD and that her claims of rape in Sri Lanka were credible, despite Home Office doubts of credibility.

Australian Immigration Minister to attend SL navy ceremony

Jul 4, 2014
The Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison will visit Sri Lanka this week to attend the commissioning ceremony for two former Australian Customs patrol vessels that were gifted to Sri Lanka to help the island control its sea borders,
reports abc news.
 
The two former Australian Customs patrol vessels gifted to the Sri Lankan navy to prevent people from leaving the island, after Australian borders saw an increase in the number of Tamil asylum seekers arriving by sea.

Morrison’s visit comes as several groups express concern over the plight of asylum seekers that were intercepted by Australian sea border patrol and handed over to the Sri Lankan navy.

The Immigration Minister has so far refused to answer questions regarding to the plight of Tamil asylum seekers found near Australian seas.

Australian patrol boat 'gift' arrives in Sri Lanka (28 June 2014)

Asylum seekers have already been tortured by Sri Lankan forces (04 July 2014)

Club de Madrid urges Sri Lanka to condemn religious violence and bring perpetrators to justice

Jul 4, 2014
The Government of Sri Lanka should unequivocally condemn and bring to justice  those that incite violence against people on account of their religion, said the Club de Madrid, in a statement released Monday.

Commenting on the lack of accountability for rights violations in Sri Lanka, the collective of former presidents and prime ministers around the world that look to foster political and social change, said in a statement:
“It requires a clear commitment to apprehend and hold accountable both the instigators and perpetrators of violence.  Sadly we believe that this has not happened following previous violent episodes and therefore there is a greater onus on government to demonstrate its commitment to firm action on this occasion.”

War-affected must be able to work with UN and face no repercussions - Suresh Premachandran

Jul 4, 2014
The TNA spokesperson Suresh Premachandran said this week that people affected by the war should be allowed to give evidence to the UN war crimes probe without worrying about their security, reports BBC Tamil.

Speaking in a press brief on Monday, he said that people working with the UN should not be targeted by Sri Lankan anti-terrorism laws and legislations that prohibit the disclosure of alleged national secrets, reports BBC Tamil.

BBS leader blames SLMC for religious violence, tells police to focus on 'real issues'

Jul 3, 2014
Updated 18.49 BST
The General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Galabodaatta Gnanasara, this week alleged that the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC) could be responsible for the religious violence, reports The Island.

Gnanasara made allegations of SLMC culpability for violence, during a press brief outside the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after making a statement to police authorities regarding allegations of BBS involvement in anti-Muslim violence.

The Buddhist monk said that it was the sole right of the Sinhalese Buddhist to protect Sri Lanka from all other forces, reports AlJazeera.

Gnanasara further accused the police and human rights activists of portraying the BBS in bad light and not paying attention to the 'real issues.'

The Sri Lankan Police spokesperson, Ajith Rohana, said that 119 people had been arrested in relation to the anti-Muslim violence, including 95 Sinhalese and 24 Muslims.

UN experts urge Sri Lanka to stop Buddhist attacks on religions and bring perpetrators to justice (02 July 2014)

Tamil man found dead in Kilinochchi

Jul 3, 2014


Photograph: Uthayan

NFF threatens to withdraw from ruling coalition if Sri Lanka allows South Africa involvement
Dalai Lama urges Buddhists to end anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka and Myanmar
Tamils protest against SL military land grabs in North-East
UK to deport Tamil to Sri Lanka despite evidence of rape and torture
Australian Immigration Minister to attend SL navy ceremony
Club de Madrid urges Sri Lanka to condemn religious violence and bring perpetrators to justice
War-affected must be able to work with UN and face no repercussions - Suresh Premachandran
BBS leader blames SLMC for religious violence, tells police to focus on 'real issues'
Tamil man found dead in Kilinochchi
US envoy to be summoned over NGO ad - Daily Mirror
NFF threatens to withdraw from ruling coalition if Sri Lanka allows South Africa involvement
Dalai Lama urges Buddhists to end anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka and Myanmar
Tamils protest against SL military land grabs in North-East
UK to deport Tamil to Sri Lanka despite evidence of rape and torture
Australian Immigration Minister to attend SL navy ceremony
Club de Madrid urges Sri Lanka to condemn religious violence and bring perpetrators to justice
War-affected must be able to work with UN and face no repercussions - Suresh Premachandran
BBS leader blames SLMC for religious violence, tells police to focus on 'real issues'
Tamil man found dead in Kilinochchi
US envoy to be summoned over NGO ad - Daily Mirror