Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Amnesty International demands immediate release of detained Tamil artist
Amnesty International has called for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethan Ganeshkumar and renewed demands for the repeal of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the legislation continues to facilitate arbitrary detention and human rights abuses. In a statement issued this week, the international rights organisation expressed concern over the continued use of…

SL navy continues surveying Tamil land for appropriation despite protests

Jul 13, 2014
The Sri Lankan navy surveyed private Tamil land once again, despite owners protesting forced appropriation, reports the Uthayan.

Tamil land owners protested outside a Sri Lankan navy base in Keerimalai after the navy announced further 183 acres of land was to be surveyed for acquisition.

The land to be acquired belongs to 35 separate owners and a burial ground.


Global body of academics condemn Australia's treatment of asylum seekers

Jul 13, 2014
Academics from universities around the world  condemned the Australian government’s treatment of refugees in a joint letter last week.

Over 130 academics from nations including New Zealand Canada, Switzerland, the United States and Hong Kong, co-signed a letter that condemned Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers, reports Newmatilda.com.

“As academics working in the Humanities and Social Sciences, we are dismayed to hear our Prime Minister deny the ethical responsibility of this nation to adhere to the tenets and conventions on asylum seekers that are founded on moral bases, and which we as a nation have signed” read the letter.

Don’t internationalise Aluthgama like Tamils did – Sri Lanka to Muslim community

Jul 12, 2014

Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister GL Peiris has urged the Muslim community in Sri Lanka to desist from internationalising the issue, during a meeting with the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka.

Speaking on behalf of the government, the minister is said that the Aluthgama violence was unfortunate and “vested interests” are attempting to blow it out of proportion, Colombo Gazette reported.

Foreign travel advisories updated after Aluthgama riots

Jul 12, 2014

Australia, the UK and the US have updated their travel advisories on Sri Lanka following the violence against Muslims which hit Aluthgama last month.

Australia called on tourists to “exercise a high degree of caution” due to the “unpredictable security environment” and warned that demonstrations and public gatherings may turn violent or become a target for politically-motivated violence.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommended tourists to avoid demonstrations and highlighted Aluthgama’s proximity to tourist resorts.

Relatives of Ananthi Sasitharan beaten and arrested by plainclothes police officers

Jul 12, 2014
Two of Northern Provincial Councillor Ananthi Sasitharan’s family members were beaten and taken to Vaddukoddai police station on Sunday, Tamil Guardian has learnt.

Speaking to Tamil Guardian Sasitharan said that the two relatives were waiting outside her office when they were approached by a group of police men in civilian attire.

Following an exchange of words, the two were beaten with iron rods and taken to the police station to be arrested. No reason for the arrest was provided reiterated Sasitharan.

Journalists threatened whilst documenting appropriation of Tamil land

Jul 12, 2014
Journalists who went to report on the preemptive surveying of private Tamil land that was in a land appropriation dispute in court, were threatened by the Sri Lankan navy on Friday.

Threats were made to the journalists as they attempted to photograph and document the Sri Lankan navy surveying private Tamil land that the government was in the process of appropriating, reports Uthayan.

"This is our region, you cannot take photographs within this," warned navy personnel, whilst taking photographs of the journalists.

Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to re-enter politics

Jul 12, 2014
The former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, is to re-enter politics, reports asianmirror.lk.

Chandrika, with the support of several foreign diplomatic missions in Colombo, has discussed her policy framework with several key cabinet ministers who are dissatisfied with the present administration, reports suggest.

Man found dead in Navali

Jul 11, 2014

The body of a man was found Saturday morning, near Navali South J.136 by the Kallundai Vairavar temple, reports Uthayan.

The body, identified as that of Nagarasa Kugatheepan from Kodikaamam was found with lacerations to the neck.

Maanippai police are reportedly carrying out an investigation into the death.

Anti-Muslim riots have tarnished the name of Sinhalese Buddhists says Sri Lanka's opposition leader

Jul 11, 2014
The image of Sinhalese Buddhists has been tarnished by recent anti-Muslim riots said the leader of the opposition UNP party in parliament last week, reports DailyMirror.lk.

Commenting on the negative impacts of anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickramasinghe said,

“The good name of Sinhalese Buddhists has been destroyed by such actions of a few. That is why I call this a fire lit, not only against the Muslims but against themselves (Sinhalese Buddhists).”

Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry briefs India on progress in accountability and reconciliation

Jul 11, 2014
 The Sri Lankan Minister of External Affairs, Friday, met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in Hydrabad today, to discuss progress by his government on the issues of accountability and reconciliation, reports The Hindu.

“There was a fairly detailed presentation by Pro. Peiris about the initiatives they are taking for reconciliation and accountability, “ said the Indian ministry for external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin.
Global body of academics condemn Australia's treatment of asylum seekers
Don’t internationalise Aluthgama like Tamils did – Sri Lanka to Muslim community
Foreign travel advisories updated after Aluthgama riots
Relatives of Ananthi Sasitharan beaten and arrested by plainclothes police officers
Journalists threatened whilst documenting appropriation of Tamil land
Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to re-enter politics
Man found dead in Navali
Anti-Muslim riots have tarnished the name of Sinhalese Buddhists says Sri Lanka's opposition leader
Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry briefs India on progress in accountability and reconciliation
BBS leader to attend religious events in Australia
Global body of academics condemn Australia's treatment of asylum seekers
Don’t internationalise Aluthgama like Tamils did – Sri Lanka to Muslim community
Foreign travel advisories updated after Aluthgama riots
Relatives of Ananthi Sasitharan beaten and arrested by plainclothes police officers
Journalists threatened whilst documenting appropriation of Tamil land
Former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to re-enter politics
Man found dead in Navali
Anti-Muslim riots have tarnished the name of Sinhalese Buddhists says Sri Lanka's opposition leader
Sri Lanka External Affairs ministry briefs India on progress in accountability and reconciliation
BBS leader to attend religious events in Australia