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…

Zeid's visit nothing to do with resolution says Sri Lanka

Feb 1, 2016
The Sri Lankan government on Tuesday said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' visit to the island this week is unrelated to the UN Human Rights Council's resolution on accountability in the country, The Hindu reported.

Tamil asylum seeker urges not be returned to Nauru

Feb 1, 2016
A Tamil asylum seeker who was allegedly raped whilst held in detention in Australia's off-shore detention facility in Naura, said she could not face being sent back to that place, reported The Guardian.

The asylum seeker, Durga, who endured years of torture and rape at the hands of Sri Lankan security forces, is facing possible removal to Nauru with 72 hours notice following a High Court decision on the matter on Wednesday.

"If I am sent back, I will commit suicide," she told The Guardian.

“I am too scared to go back to that place, my life will not be safe,” she added.

Tamil man in Germany convicted of LTTE membership

Feb 1, 2016
A 53 year old Tamil man was on Tuesday convicted by a Hamburg court of membership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, considered to be a terrorist organisation by Germany.

The man, identified as Yogendran G is a German citizen, who was convicted of raising over $88,000 for the LTTE between 2007 - 2009.

Unemployed graduates protest in Jaffna over jobs

Jan 31, 2016

Unemployed graduates protested in Jaffna on Monday morning over the ongoing lack of jobs.

Jaya urges Modi to secure release of fishermen detained in Sri Lanka

Jan 31, 2016
The Tamil Nadu chief minister, Jayalalithaa on Monday urged the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to ensure the release of 15 fishermen currently detained by the Sri Lankan navy, including 9 fishermen arrested at the weekend.

In her latest letter to Mr Modi on the ongoing issue of the Sri Lankan navy detaining fishermen, Ms Jayalalithaa urged him to direct the ministry of external affairs to discuss the matter urgently with Sri Lankan officials.

"I am constrained to write to you yet again to bring to your notice the repeated instances of apprehension of innocent Indian fishermen belonging to the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan Navy," she wrote.

Sri Lanka’s joint opposition to boycott Independence Day

Jan 31, 2016
The Sri Lankan joint opposition will boycott Independence Day celebrations this week due to the ongoing suppression of democracy on the island, said a member of parliament on Monday.

MP Dinesh Gunawardena told reporters that the current government was acting against the principles of good governance and democracy, and as an act of protest members of the opposition would be boycotting the event later this week.

Military style parades are set to feature at the celebrations this year, with rehearsals currently taking place at Galle Face Green in Colombo.

More Sri Lankan state buses carry racist 'Sinhale' sticker

Jan 31, 2016
Photograph Groundviews

More of Sri Lanka's state owned buses have been seen to be carrying the racist 'Sinhale' sticker under the lion symbol.

Last month, the word 'Sinhale' (lion's blood in Sinhala) was found spray-painted over Muslim homes in Nugegoda.

Families of murdered Tamil journalists still awaiting justice

Jan 31, 2016

There has been no progress in investigations into murdered Tamil journalists, despite the Sri Lankan government’s pledges, said the Federation of Eastern Journalists.

Speaking to ucanews.com, Thev Athiran, president of Federation of Eastern Journalists, said that there had been little government support, despite Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe telling parliament in December that the government would pay compensation to the families of 44 journalists.

He went on to state that there had not been any progress in the investigations of murdered Tamil jouranlists.

"Most of the families of killed Tamil journalists have left the country due to fear," said Mr Athiran. He highlighted the killing of Subramaniyam Sugitharajah, who was murdered on January 24 2006, shortly after he took photos of the bodies of five Tamil students who were executed by Sri Lanka’s security forces.

Attorney General blocks arrest of Army commander over case of missing journalist

Jan 31, 2016
Sri Lanka’s Attorney General has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest an army commander over the case of disappeared journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, reports The Sunday Leader.

Army Commander Lieutenant General A. W. J. C. De Silva is himself accused of blocking investigations into the case of the missing journalist, who went missing in 2010.

A CID officer told the Sunday Leader that an “informal message” had been sent to their department, stating that any legal action against the commander must be delayed.

Sources also said that during high level security meeting it was stated if the commander was arrested “certain factions would capitalize on the situation and instigate the masses”.

Sri Lanka constitution committee consults chief Buddhist monks

Jan 31, 2016
The Committee of Public Representations on the Constitution (CPRC) appointed by Prime minster Ranil Wickremsinghe met with a chief Buddhist monk to seek proposals and suggestions for constitutional reforms.

The chairman of the CPRC Lal Wikenayake told media that the committee had brief discussions over the need for a new constitution in the country, reports Colombo Page.

The Committee members are expected to travel the island seeking submissions for Sri Lanka’s constitutional process.
Tamil asylum seeker urges not be returned to Nauru
Tamil man in Germany convicted of LTTE membership
Unemployed graduates protest in Jaffna over jobs
Jaya urges Modi to secure release of fishermen detained in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s joint opposition to boycott Independence Day
More Sri Lankan state buses carry racist 'Sinhale' sticker
Families of murdered Tamil journalists still awaiting justice
Attorney General blocks arrest of Army commander over case of missing journalist
Sri Lanka constitution committee consults chief Buddhist monks
British warship docks in Colombo as part of 'closer defence relations'
Tamil asylum seeker urges not be returned to Nauru
Tamil man in Germany convicted of LTTE membership
Unemployed graduates protest in Jaffna over jobs
Jaya urges Modi to secure release of fishermen detained in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s joint opposition to boycott Independence Day
More Sri Lankan state buses carry racist 'Sinhale' sticker
Families of murdered Tamil journalists still awaiting justice
Attorney General blocks arrest of Army commander over case of missing journalist
Sri Lanka constitution committee consults chief Buddhist monks
British warship docks in Colombo as part of 'closer defence relations'