Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Hundreds march in Kilinochchi against limestone, sand mining and wind turbines
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…

Sri Lankan navy deny attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen

Jul 16, 2016
The Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday denied attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen on Saturday night, accusing the fishermen of making "such false allegations on a regular basis".

The Indian Fishermen's Association accused the navy of attacking four fishermen off by the Kachchathivu island last night.

“The navy personnel took away their cell phones and GPS equipment and also damaged the nets of 10 other boats,” the association's leader, R Sesuraja told India's media.

Sri Lankan navy is escalating abduction of Tamil Nadu fishermen - Jaya

Jul 16, 2016
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa on Saturday accused the Sri Lankan navy of escalating abductions of Indian fishermen.

In her latest letter to Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on the issue, the chief minister J Jayalalithaa said:
“The Sri Lankan government continues to infringe upon the historically enjoyed rights of our fishermen to fish in the traditional waters of the Palk Bay.”

Sri Lankan army fortifies camps in Jaffna HSZ

Jul 16, 2016

The Sri Lankan army has been constructing concrete pillars around military bases located within a High Security Zone in Jaffna, with fears the camps could become permanently situated within the North-East.

The military was seen engaging in construction work around the border of the Valikaamam North High Security Zone. The military had recently released 201 acres of land in the area after 26 years of occupation.

However, a vast bordering region remains occupied by the military. Whilst temporary fences still exist across areas that have been released, the recent fixation of permanent concrete fences has increased fears the army will be a permanent presence in Jaffna.

‘There are no tribunals’ says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister

Jul 16, 2016
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera declared tribunals would not be taking place in a soon to be declared accountability mechanism, and that instead the government would be investigating “allegations of war crimes”.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer Mr Samaraweera also said his government would have to accommodate Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s opposition to international judges.

“Between these two positions of having foreign judges and not having them, there are many acceptable options which can be explored and finalised,” he said.
However, he went on to add that tribunals would not be taking place and instead the accountability mechanism will “investigate” if war crimes had taken place.

“There are no tribunals. There are allegations of war crimes, the mechanisms are to make a credible investigation if those allegations are true,” he said. “If the allegations are not true then we will say it, but we are not going to shoot the messenger like the previous government.”

Cabinet approves military participation in national development organisation

Jul 15, 2016

Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a national development organisation which will include the military.

Co-Cabinet spokesperson Minister Gayantha Karunathilake said the knowledge and resources of the tri-forces could be used in nation building, the Daily Mirror reported.

Mullaitivu farmers want army to release agricultural tanks

Jul 15, 2016
Farmers in Mullaitivu have urged the Sri Lankan government to push the army to release agricultural tanks currently under its occupation, Ceylon Today reported.

The demand comes after requests to date have proved futile, with no action taken.

“Southern fishermen are poaching in our waters," the farmers were quoted by the newspaper as saying.

"Ancient lands of farmers have been occupied under the Mahaweli Zone. This had now extended up to the borders of our ancient lands. Thousands of acres of prime land have been taken over such as the Kent and Dollar farms,”  the farmers added.

Kilinochchi IDPs demand land back from Sri Lankan military

Jul 15, 2016

Tamil internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Paravipanchan, Kilinochchi this week requested government to take action to allow them to be settled into their own homes.

The Sri Lankan military continues to occupy 17.2 acres of land owned by the 52 families, who remained displaced since the end of the armed conflict.

Paravipanchan, an area within Kilinochchi town, was previously the site of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) political headquarters, including the organisation's peace secretariat as well as media and educational offices.

Thousands of acres in Mullaitivu used for Sinhalese settlements – NPC member

Jul 15, 2016
Since the armed conflict ended in 2009, the Sri Lankan military has occupied thousands of acres of land for Sinhalese settlements stated Northern Provincial Council member T Ravikaran.

Approximately 4712.5 acres of land has been grabbed by the military in the district alone, said the NPC member, with 9 Buddhist viharas constructed and 794 Sinhalese families settled in the region.

Sri Lanka Navy Commander attends 'Leaders Symposium' in United States

Jul 15, 2016

Photograph: ColomboPage

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne attended a military symposium at California last week, at the invitation of the US military.

Sri Lankan intelligence officer arrested over murder of Sunday Leader editor

Jul 15, 2016

A Sri Lankan military intelligence officer has been arrested over the murder of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunge.

The officer, identified as P Udalagama, is reportedly a sergeant attached to the military intelligence unit. He is due to be produced before an identity parade, reports Hiru News.

Sri Lankan navy is escalating abduction of Tamil Nadu fishermen - Jaya
Sri Lankan army fortifies camps in Jaffna HSZ
‘There are no tribunals’ says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister
Cabinet approves military participation in national development organisation
Mullaitivu farmers want army to release agricultural tanks
Kilinochchi IDPs demand land back from Sri Lankan military
Thousands of acres in Mullaitivu used for Sinhalese settlements – NPC member
Sri Lanka Navy Commander attends 'Leaders Symposium' in United States
Sri Lankan intelligence officer arrested over murder of Sunday Leader editor
Tamil schoolchild raped and then beaten by Sri Lankan police for reporting crime
Sri Lankan navy is escalating abduction of Tamil Nadu fishermen - Jaya
Sri Lankan army fortifies camps in Jaffna HSZ
‘There are no tribunals’ says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister
Cabinet approves military participation in national development organisation
Mullaitivu farmers want army to release agricultural tanks
Kilinochchi IDPs demand land back from Sri Lankan military
Thousands of acres in Mullaitivu used for Sinhalese settlements – NPC member
Sri Lanka Navy Commander attends 'Leaders Symposium' in United States
Sri Lankan intelligence officer arrested over murder of Sunday Leader editor
Tamil schoolchild raped and then beaten by Sri Lankan police for reporting crime