Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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‘Where is the LTTE?’ Lawyer challenges terror charges against jailed Tamil rapper
  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC

Feb 8, 2015
Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera, embarked on a visit of key state capitals ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's 28th session, which is due to begin next month.

Mr Samaraweera, who left Sri Lanka on Sunday for the UK, is scheduled to arrive in the US later this week where he is to meet with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

He is also due to visit China later this month, the foreign affairs ministry said.

I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya

Feb 8, 2015
The former Sri Lankan defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he does not fear retribution by the new government for his role in the allegations of the mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people, stating that the people of Sri Lanka still appreciated the former regime's actions.

Asked if he feared retribution by the new regime in Sri Lanka or even a witch hunt by Western nations now that he was no longer in power, Mr Gotabaya told an Indian journalist this week:
"I do not fear any retribution from any quarter or Western witch hunts. We knew the risks involved when we took on the LTTE despite resistance from interested nations. We fought terrorism to a finish because that was our duty by our nation. The people of Sri Lanka still appreciate the sacrifices we made and the risks we took."

Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission

Feb 8, 2015

A Sri Lankan army contingent is leaving the island for UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon, according to the army's website.

The 9th Sri Lanka’s Force Protection Unit (9 SLFPU) will join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), replacing the 8th contingent, currently serving in the Levant.

A passing out parade was inspected by suspected war criminal Major General Jagath Dias at a ceremony in Kurunegala.

The deployment will be made up of 10 officers and 140 other soldiers from various regiments, including those which served in the armed conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The army is accused of committing mass atrocities, including rape, torture and extrajudicial killings during the intense fighting, particularly in the final phase.

Tamils in Mullaitivu demand new Sri Lanka govt returns disappeared loved ones

Feb 7, 2015
Placard reads: "We voted for change. Will you change our lives????"

Tamils in Mullaitivu protested on Sunday calling on the new Sri Lankan government to return their missing loved ones and release all political prisoners, almost six years after the end of the armed conflict.

Placards read: "New government, release our loved ones", "Wanted, wanted, international investigation is wanted", "Tears formed thinking of our missing loved one".

Holding photographs of their missing children, parents, together with local Tamil politicians, protested in front of the Mullaitivu district office.

In a letter to the government body, the 'Association of Families Searching for their disappeared relatives - Mannar District,', calling for forcibly disappeared Tamils to be returned, said,

"As the commissions formed by the government failed to find a solution for the affected people, the people who were affected are expecting an international intervention to give them an unbiased solution, on behalf of those who made to disappear. "
 

New Sri Lankan govt extends detention law by 2 years

Feb 7, 2015
Sri Lanka's new government this week extended a controversial detention law which allows police to detain suspects of serious crimes for 48 hours without a warrant, by another two years.

A Gazette notification was issued by the minister of justice, the Sri Lanka's Sunday Times reported.

Sri Lanka's domestic 'missing persons' commission delays conclusion

Feb 7, 2015
The Sri Lankan government's domestic commission investigating disappearances has further delayed its conclusion, reporting that it will now finalise proceedings on 15 August 2015.

The Presidential Commission to Investigate Missing Persons was initially due to conclude on 15 February 2015. It has now been granted a further 6 months, H W Gunadasa, Secretary of the Commission told the Sunday Leader.

The United National Party, in opposition at the time the commission was announced, slammed the domestic inquiry – suggesting it was a betrayal of Sri Lankan soldiers.

UN Sec Gen reiterates call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry

Feb 6, 2015
The United Nations Secretary General on Tuesday reiterated calls for the Sri Lankan government to co-operate with the UN inquiry into mass atrocities against the Tamil people.

When about the UN response to the Sri Lankan government’s considerations of starting a new local inquiry, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s spokesperson, Stehpane Dujarric, at a press briefing said,

No final decision made on 'Port City Project' says Ranil

Feb 6, 2015
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament, on Friday, that a final decision is yet to be reached on the Chinese funded ‘Port City’ project in Colombo.

Wikcremesinghe said that a committee had been appointed to review the project and that a final decision would be made after the committee produced its report to parliament, reports Colombo Page.

Wickremesinghe’s announcement came after government announcements, made on Thursday, suggested that the project would go ahead.
 

US security adviser pledges support to Sri Lanka for 'transition'

Feb 6, 2015
The US security adviser, Susan Rice pledged support to Sri Lanka's new government as a country currently in "in transition", reports Reuters.

"We’ll help countries in transition - like Burma, Tunisia, and Sri Lanka - become more open, more democratic, and more inclusive societies," Ms Rice said, during an address at the Brookings Institute this week, where she outlined the US' updated national security strategy.


SLMC chief minister appointed in East

Feb 6, 2015
A Sri Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC) member was appointed as the new chief minister of the Eastern Province this week, despite the Tamil National Alliance's electoral majority.

Ahamed Nazeer Zainulabdeen was sworn in before the governor, Austin Fernando on Friday.

The move has been criticised as undemocratic by the TNA leader R Sampanthan who had been seeking the appointment of a TNA member to the post.
I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Tamils in Mullaitivu demand new Sri Lanka govt returns disappeared loved ones
New Sri Lankan govt extends detention law by 2 years
Sri Lanka's domestic 'missing persons' commission delays conclusion
UN Sec Gen reiterates call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry
No final decision made on 'Port City Project' says Ranil
US security adviser pledges support to Sri Lanka for 'transition'
SLMC chief minister appointed in East
Sri Lanka approves new interim budget
I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
Sri Lankan army contingent leaves for Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Tamils in Mullaitivu demand new Sri Lanka govt returns disappeared loved ones
New Sri Lankan govt extends detention law by 2 years
Sri Lanka's domestic 'missing persons' commission delays conclusion
UN Sec Gen reiterates call for Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN inquiry
No final decision made on 'Port City Project' says Ranil
US security adviser pledges support to Sri Lanka for 'transition'
SLMC chief minister appointed in East
Sri Lanka approves new interim budget