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 police officers attack Jaffna businessman

Jul 4, 2016

Sri Lankan police officers attacked a businessman in Jaffna on Friday.

Two Sinhalese police constables attached to the Jaffna Police Station entered a tea shop behind Jaffna bus station.

The officers, reported as being inebriated, created a ruckus after being refused discounted cigarettes and assaulted the shopkeeper with their helmets.

The victim lodged a complaint with Jaffna Police Station and was informed that departmental action would be initiated against the two constables.

Jaffna University students mark Black Tigers day

Jul 4, 2016

Students at the University of Jaffna marked Black Tigers Day or 'Karumpuli Naal' on July 5th.

The day marks the sacrifices of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's elite men and women. See more here. 

BTF, GTF welcome Zeid's oral statement

Jul 4, 2016
The British Tamils Forum and the Global Tamil Forum on Monday welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' oral update of Sri Lanka's progress on implementing the resolution passed last year. 

"The oral update shows the High Commissioner’s insight into the Sri Lankan state’s tokenism’s and lack of progress in delivering justice to the Tamil victims of genocide.   The statement stresses the need for institutionalised change beyond token gestures designed to fool the international community," the BTF said in a statement on Monday.

See here for full statement.

"We commend the High Commissioner and his office for their forthright assessment and concur with their observation that the promise of governance reform and transitional justice are yet to be fully delivered, and risks stalling or dissipating," the GTF warned.

Ranil warns of 'difficult decisions' to avoid economic breakdown

Jul 4, 2016
The Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday warned that "difficult decisions" would have to be taken in order to prevent the "complete breakdown of the economy", the Colombo Page reported citing a post on Mr Wickremesinghe's Facebook page in Sinhalese.

Commenting on a meeting with MPs, ministers and electoral organisers, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "during this meeting, we analyzed the future of Sri Lanka's economy, and the reasons behind the nation's dire economic situation."

"It was explained that going forward, difficult decisions would have to be made in order to avert a complete breakdown of the economy."

Tamil families demonstrate by army camp demanding return of their lands

Jul 4, 2016
Tamil residents in Paravipancham, Kilinochchi protested outside an army camp that had encroached their lands with demands for the complete return of all appropriated land.

Photograph: Tamil Guardian

TNA committed to ensuring resolution implemented fully

Jul 3, 2016
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on Sunday rejected rumours that a deal had been struck between the TNA, the Sri Lankan government and the United States on the implementation of the UN Human Rights Council resolution adopted last September.

"The Tamil National Alliance has always held the position that the resolution must be implemented both in letter and spirit and there has been no change in this position. We will remain committed and take all necessary steps to ensure that the resolution is implemented fully in the future," the TNA said.

Sri Lanka, India to start talks on economic and technology cooperation

Jul 3, 2016
Sri Lanka and India on Monday agreed to commence talks on proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), the Business Standard reported.

"The leaders reviewed progress of the proposed ETCA between India and Sri Lanka and agreed to start negotiations on an expedited track for an early conclusion of the agreement, preferably before the end of the year," Sri Lanka's commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

A delegation from India is expected to visit Sri Lanka shortly.

Sri Lankan military helps settle Sinhalese fishermen in Tamil North-East

Jul 2, 2016

High Commissioner’s report confirms Sri Lanka has not moved fast enough - USTPAC

Jul 2, 2016
A midterm report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein has confirmed Sri Lanka has not moved fast enough on issues of justice and accountability said the US Tamil Political Action Council, as it outlined a range of measures that must be immediately addressed.

"High Commissioner Zeid's constructive oral report confirms USTPAC's observations that the government has not moved fast enough on confidence building measures or transitional justice," said USTPAC President Karunyan Arulanantham.

"Sri Lanka's security forces must return all land to its rightful owners, demilitarize from the Tamil-dominated North and East and undergo serious reform if Sri Lanka is to achieve reconciliation. USTPAC also reiterates High Commissioner Zeid's conclusion that the government must execute a comprehensive plan for transitional justice and launch a concerted public information campaign to explain its efforts to all communities."

"Despite Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Samaraweera's statements in Geneva, USTPAC has concerns about the government's determination to fully implement Resolution 30/1,” he added.

ITAK leader warns of more protests if Sri Lanka ignores UN resolution

Jul 2, 2016

The leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Mavai Senathirajah warned of continuous Tamil protests if the Sri Lankan government continued to ignore implementation of a United Nations resolution.

Speaking at Nallur temple in Jaffna, the Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian said promises made by both the Sri Lankan president and prime minister were yet to be kept.

“If the UN resolutions are ignored by the Sri Lankan government even after the report submitted by the High Commissioner of the UNHRC, then we will be in a position to decide on staging continuous protests,” he added.

Jaffna University students mark Black Tigers day
BTF, GTF welcome Zeid's oral statement
Ranil warns of 'difficult decisions' to avoid economic breakdown
Tamil families demonstrate by army camp demanding return of their lands
TNA committed to ensuring resolution implemented fully
Sri Lanka, India to start talks on economic and technology cooperation
Sri Lankan military helps settle Sinhalese fishermen in Tamil North-East
High Commissioner’s report confirms Sri Lanka has not moved fast enough - USTPAC
ITAK leader warns of more protests if Sri Lanka ignores UN resolution
Sri Lanka's military celebrates 20 years in Jaffna
Jaffna University students mark Black Tigers day
BTF, GTF welcome Zeid's oral statement
Ranil warns of 'difficult decisions' to avoid economic breakdown
Tamil families demonstrate by army camp demanding return of their lands
TNA committed to ensuring resolution implemented fully
Sri Lanka, India to start talks on economic and technology cooperation
Sri Lankan military helps settle Sinhalese fishermen in Tamil North-East
High Commissioner’s report confirms Sri Lanka has not moved fast enough - USTPAC
ITAK leader warns of more protests if Sri Lanka ignores UN resolution
Sri Lanka's military celebrates 20 years in Jaffna