Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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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,…

FR application filed seeking withdrawal from UNHRC resolution

<p>A Fundamental Rights application was filed in Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, seeking the government to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)&nbsp;resolution 30/1 that it co-sponsored in 2015.</p> <p>The application was filed by the Truth Seekers Movement, who&nbsp;claim&nbsp;that by co-sponsoring resolution 30/1, Sri Lanka has allowed for several activities to take place which are inconsistent with the Constitution.&nbsp;</p>

‘The Vanni’ - In conversation with Benjamin Dix

On the morning of September 16th 2008, Benjamin Dix was part of a United Nations convoy that was driving out of Kilinochchi. “Civilians were protesting outside our offices begging us not to leave,” he recalls. “As we drove out that morning a Kfir - a government fighter jet - flew over the top of us and into the Vanni… It almost haunts me”. 

Review: ‘The Vanni’

Former UN staffer Benjamin Dix released his first graphic novel this month, exploring the story of Tamil families trapped in the Vanni in 2009, as the Sri Lankan military launches an ominous offensive that kills tens of thousands civilians.

More arrests in Malaysia over ‘LTTE links’ as security forces deny allegations of racism

Malaysian security forces arrested five more men today, including two Democratic Action Party (DAP) assemblyman, claiming that they were linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which remains a proscribed organisation in the country.

Sri Lanka’s STF arrest former LTTE cadre who was assaulted last year

Officers from Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force arrested a former LTTE cadre last week, a year after the same cadre and his children were attacked by a Sri Lankan police officer.

Sri Lankan police allege that they found 4 grams of heroin inside P Vasanthakumar’s house, following a search and raid operation. He is currently on remand over the drug charges.

Last year, Vasanthakumar and his two children were left hospitalised following an attack on them by  the Officer-in-Charge of the Kanakarayankulam Police. The assault triggered protests from the local Tamil community, yet no one was held accountable.

Tamil man found dead in Vavuniya

The body of a Tamil man has been recovered in Vauniya yesterday, a day after he was reported missing by his family.

Sri Lankan police accused of aiding violent attacker

<p>A family in Jaffna have filed complaints against Koppay police, accusing the department of helping and protecting a violent attacker in their neighbourhood.</p> <p>The family from Kokuvil East registered complaints with the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) and the National Police Commission, claiming they felt threatened as they were being attacked by a neighbour who had the support of the police.</p> <p>The family said that the man who had broken into their home and attacked them was helped by the police in getting released on bail.</p>

EU to co-finance project to support long-term peace in Sri Lanka

The European Union (EU) is providing EUR 40 million to Sri Lanka to co-finance the "Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation and Inclusibe Democratic Engagement (STRIDE) project.

Dr R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance, signed the financing agreement on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka on 9 October 2019.

Sri Lanka’s accused war criminals oversee exercise with international troops

The Sri Lankan army carried out a military exercise with international troops in the Tamil homeland last month, with senior commanders accused of war crimes overseeing operations.

TNA commemorates LTTE's 2nd Lt. Maalathy

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) held a ceremony in Kilinochchi to commemorate thirty-two years since the death of the first female fighter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).