Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A protest march was held last month opposing limestone excavation, mineral sand mining and a proposed wind power project across the villages of Veravil, Valaipadu, Ponnaveli and Kiranchi, in the Poonakary Divisional Secretariat division of Kilinochchi. The demonstration was organised against plans to establish wind power stations and to carry out mineral sand and limestone extraction in the…

UK raises concern over Sri Lanka's Online Safety Bill's impact on freedom of expression

The UK have raised their concerns over the recently gazetted Online Safety Bill's impact on the "freedom of expression" on the island. 

In a written question to the UK government, Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, asked about the potential impact the bill will have on freedom of expression and religion in Sri Lanka, 

Anne-Marie Trevelyan the Minister of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office responded:

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka allocates Rs. 10 Billion for presidential and general polls

File photograph.

Days after Sri Lanka's president Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a statement citing that the island was “gradually” emerging from its worst economic crisis in generations, the cabinet of ministers has decided that the government is in a position to allocate Rs. 10 Billion for presidential and general elections this year. 

Another former Sri Lankan military commander joins the SJB

Daya Sandagiri, the 14th Naval Commander of Sri Lanka has pledged his support for the Opposition Party Samagi Jana Balawagaya (SJB) headed by Sajith Premadasa today, becoming at least the third senior Sri Lankan military figure to join the party.

Ambulance service suspended in Mullaitivu for over 3 months leaving patients in peril

The Suwa Seriya 1990 free ambulance service, which has been a lifeline across the island, has been suspended in Mankulam for three months, leaving residents in dire situations during emergencies.

Sri Lanka showcases military firepower and seeks Buddhist blessings in Independence Day parade

The Sri Lankan government held a massive parade with thousands of troops to showcase its military firepower on Independence Day over the weekend, whilst Tamils in the North-East raised black flags and faced arrests as they protested.

Outrageous conduct' by Sri Lankan government in passing Online Safety Bill - TISL

Transparency International has spoken out against Sri Lanka's controversial Online Safety Bill that was signed into law last week, issuing a statement that said many of the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court are not in the final bill. 

TGTE calls for Independent Police Review into Peel Police Chief's Sri Lanka visit

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) has appealed to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director to investigate the Peel Regional Police Chief’s recent controversial visit to Sri Lanka where he had an audience with Tiran Alles, Public Security Minister and Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, and pledged to increase co-operation with country's notorious police force. 

TGTE says they are “appalled” by Nishan Duraiappah’s visit since it was only a week before the Acting IGP Tennakoon was handed a conviction of torture by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court. 

JVP tours Delhi, but still no word on India policy

On Monday (5), the leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, met with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, after the party was invited to discussion in Delhi for the first time.

The visit is seen as a significant outreach by Delhi to the leftist politician, ahead of widely expected presidential polls in Sri Lanka later this year and marks a possible change of heart from the JVP’s fiercely anti-India rhetoric that came to define its politics in the 1980s.

Black day for Tamils' - Swiss Tamils protest Sri Lanka's Independence Day

Tamils gathered in Bern, Switzerland today to protest Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day which is deemed a 'black day' for Eelam Tamils. 

Flyers were distributed to explain the oppression the Eelam Tamil nation have been subjected to by the Sinhala Buddhist state for the last 76 years. 

Tamil protesters photographed by Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia

Tamils protesting against Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day outside Sri Lanka's High Commission in Australia were photographed by staff in an attempt to intimidate the protesters.