Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Environmentalists and civil society activists protested at Galle Face in Colombo on 17 June against proposed heavy mineral sand mining along the eastern coastline from Oluvil to Pothuvil, warning that the project threatens the land, fisheries and livelihoods of Tamil and Muslim communities across the Eastern Province. According to the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL), exploration…

Petrol bombs thrown at Tamil home in Jaffna

A Tamil home in Jaffna was attacked with petrol bombs last night by a group of unknown persons who arrived by motorbike.

Sri Lankan police assault Tamil journalist in Jaffna

Sri Lankan police have assaulted a Tamil journalist in Jaffna earlier today, leading to him being admitted into hospital for treatment of his injuries

UN complains after official threatened at gunpoint by Sri Lankan army in Jaffna

<p>Senior United Nations officials have reportedly lodged a complaint with Sri Lankan authorities stating that one of their staff was threatened at gun point by two members of the army in Jaffna last year.</p> <p>The Sunday Times reports that two people who claimed to be from the army entered the residence of a UN official in Jaffna, pointing a pistol at the staff member and warning that an investigation was underway against them.</p> <p>The military has not taken any action on the case, denying that any members of the security forces were involved in the incident.</p>

Ranil pledges government will ‘do more work to protect Buddhism’

Sri Lanka’s prime minister has once again reiterated his government’s pledge to “do more work” to protect Buddhism on the island, as talks over a new constitution continue.

Sri Lanka further remands suspects accused of vandalising Buddha statue

A Sri Lankan court has further remanded a group that was arrested last year, accused of vandalising a Buddha statue in Mawanella, in the south of the island.

The group of eleven people have now been remanded until February 27. Amongst those being held are people who were arrested for providing accommodation to some of those accused of vandalism.

Militarisation: Troops play tennis on occupying bases, whilst Tamils continue protest

Whilst Tamils in the North-East continue to protest for the military to leave their lands, the Sri Lankan army organised a tennis tournament at its occupying military base in the Vanni last week.

Sri Lankan PM faces backlash after telling Tamils to ‘forget the past’

Sri Lanka’s prime minister has faced criticism from Tamils after telling them to “forget the past and move forward” at an event in Kilinochchi last week.

Colonisation more pressing than development in Mullaitivu - TNA MP

<p>Occupation and colonisation in Mullaitivu are more pressing issues than development, a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP told the Sri Lankan prime minister.</p> <p>Speaking at a meeting during prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to the North on Saturday, TNA MP Shanthi Sriskantharajah highlighted that development efforts were secondary to the need to end and reverse the occupation and appropriation of Tamil lands in Mullaitivu.</p>

Tamil journalist killed in No Fire Zone remembered in Jaffna

Sathiyamoorthy, the Tamil journalist killed inside the ‘No Fire Zone’ by a Sri Lankan army artillery barrage in February 2009, was remembered by journalists and writers in Jaffna on Sunday.

Keppapulavu residents protest Ranil's visit

Keppapulavu residents defied increased security force presence to protest the visit of Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.