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…

TNA wants ‘power sharing consistent with federalism’ - Sumanthiran

Jan 26, 2016

The Tamil National Alliance’s position is for a “power-sharing arrangement that is in consistent with the principle of federalism,” said MP M. A. Sumanthiran to reporters on Tuesday.

Speaking from Colombo, Mr Sumanthiran said the TNA was taking part in discussions regarding a new constitution.

“We will state our position that to the two main parties and the Sinhala people in this country that it is an arrangement that is on federal lines that will best ensure that there will not be a call for the division of the country,” said the parliamentarian.

His comments come amid reports that TNA leader R. Sampanthan has left for Scotland, where he will be involved in talks regarding power sharing and federalism.

Sri Lanka rejects allegations of ongoing torture in submission to UN Committee Against Torture

Jan 26, 2016
The Sri Lankan government rejected allegations that torture remains widespread and unpunished under Sri Lanka’s new regime.

In a report submitted to the UN Committee Against Torture, the government refuted claim of ongoing torture and impunity,  adding,

Foreign judges 'not ruled out' says Ranil

Jan 26, 2016
The Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attempted to counter criticism of the president's rejection of any international involvement in an accountability mechanism, by stating a foreign role has not been ruled out.

"We have not ruled it out, he has not ruled it out," Mr Wickremesinghe told Channel 4 News following escalating criticism over Mr Sirisena's remarks made to BBC Sinhala last week.

Stating that Sri Lanka was committed to the UN Human Rights council resolution that mandated international involvement in the accountability mechanism, Mr Wickremesinghe however put the onus on the "people".

"Our first prong is the people itself. Whatever else we do they might find also the benefit and that's a long process we have started," he told the British news programme.

Sri Lanka falling short of anti-corruption promises says Transparency International

Jan 26, 2016
Transparency International said that Sri Lankan leaders were falling short of their bold promises to reduce corruption, reports Colombo Page.

The organisations report, released in Berlin on Wednesday, found Sri Lanka to rank 83rd out of 175 countries in the corruption index.

In a press release the organisation said the desire for change was huge, noting a host of governments in India and Sri Lanka that came to power on a platform of anti-corruption.

Sri Lanka scored 37 points, which was a point lower than it scored in the previous year.

IFJ calls for action against monks disrupting court proceedings in Sri Lanka

Jan 26, 2016
The International Federation of Journalists along with the Free Media Movement (FMM) condemned the actions by the leader of the Bodu Bala Sena for disrupting court proceedings against persons accused of abducting journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

The IFJ called on courts and authorities to take action against any persons who attempt to disrupt proceedings, in a statement made on Wednesday.

The leader of the BBS Galagadaaththe Gnanasara has been remanded for disrupting court proceedings, after being temporarily arrested.

Foreign judges needed for credibility says US Ambassador

Jan 25, 2016

The credibility of any accountability mechanism in Sri Lanka requires the involvement of foreign judges, said the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

In a tweet posted on Monday, Mr Harper said:

"For #SriLanka – credibility of any accountability mechanism requires the involvement of foreign judges etc."

“That has and will not change,” he added.

Six year old Tamil boy raped and murdered in Sampur - TamilNet

Jan 25, 2016

The body of a 6 year old Tamil boy who was raped and murdered, was found dumped in an abandoned well in Sampur on Tuesday, reports TamilNet.

Missing and disappeared persons most likely dead says Sri Lanka prime minister

Jan 25, 2016

Those that surrendered at the end of the war and are still missing in Sri Lanka are ‘most probably dead’ said Sri Lanka’s prime minister Ranil Wickrememsinghe in an interview with Channel 4 News.

Mr Wickremesinghe went on to dispute UN estimates that 40,000 civilian deaths saying that a further investigation would be required.

Sri Lankan military occupies 40% land in Kilinochchi says TNA MP

Jan 25, 2016
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP S Sritharan said the Sri Lankan military still occupies 40% of land in Kilinochchi, reported the Daily Mirror.

"If the lands under the army are redeemed, then a permanent block of land could be obtained for the education office. This would be discussed with the government and steps would be taken," he added.

Earlier this week Mr Sritharan visited the village of Vaddakkachchi in the district together with the TNA leader R Sampanthan.

Unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation says Jon Snow

Jan 25, 2016
Seven years after the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation plague the North-East, said the UK Channel 4 news anchor, Jon Snow, currently visiting the island.

"Seven years after the war’s end, to establish any formal or credible investigation into the multiple human rights abuses, and allegations of war crimes, first reported by Channel 4 News, during the war rankles hard with the Tamils. They are also angered by the continued failure to do anything at all about “the disappeared.” This continues to cause widespread grief and upset," Mr Snow wrote, adding "we have seen too many tears this week."

"The army is everywhere, having seized tens of thousands of acres of land. They have also infiltrated the shops, taking over many businesses. The country’s second most important fishing harbour Myliddy, is in the hands of the military."

Sri Lanka rejects allegations of ongoing torture in submission to UN Committee Against Torture
Foreign judges 'not ruled out' says Ranil
Sri Lanka falling short of anti-corruption promises says Transparency International
IFJ calls for action against monks disrupting court proceedings in Sri Lanka
Foreign judges needed for credibility says US Ambassador
Six year old Tamil boy raped and murdered in Sampur - TamilNet
Missing and disappeared persons most likely dead says Sri Lanka prime minister
Sri Lankan military occupies 40% land in Kilinochchi says TNA MP
Unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation says Jon Snow
Tamil Nadu trade delegation to visit Jaffna
Sri Lanka rejects allegations of ongoing torture in submission to UN Committee Against Torture
Foreign judges 'not ruled out' says Ranil
Sri Lanka falling short of anti-corruption promises says Transparency International
IFJ calls for action against monks disrupting court proceedings in Sri Lanka
Foreign judges needed for credibility says US Ambassador
Six year old Tamil boy raped and murdered in Sampur - TamilNet
Missing and disappeared persons most likely dead says Sri Lanka prime minister
Sri Lankan military occupies 40% land in Kilinochchi says TNA MP
Unresolved human rights abuses and continued military occupation says Jon Snow
Tamil Nadu trade delegation to visit Jaffna