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…

Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army

May 17, 2014
The military has blocked off access to the blood donation centre at Jaffna teaching hospital in an attempt to stop people from donating blood as an act of remembrance for those that died in Mullivaikkal in 2009, the Uthayan, reported.

Earlier this month, students at the University of Jaffna, which was ordered closed around the time of May 18, donated blood in the memory of the dead.


Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna

May 17, 2014
11:25 BST

Armed troops have surrounded the Jaffna office of the Thinakkural newspaper, one of the paper's journalists tweeted within the past hour.

The incident comes amidst heavy military presence outside the Uthayan newspaper's office earlier today, with over 50 armed soldiers surrounding the building.

 

Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa

May 17, 2014
Photo: uthayan

A Mullivaikal remembrance event for those that died was carried out amidst military intimidation in the TNA’s office in Batticaloa, reports Uthayan.

Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai

May 17, 2014

The Sri Lankan military has restricted access to Keerimalai, blocking Tamils from entering the town on the Jaffna peninsula, famous for its temple.

Events to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of Mullivaikkal at the temple were cancelled as the army blocked all main roads leading to the town, reported GTN.

Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran

May 17, 2014
Tamils Against Genocide (TAG)
Illustration Keera Ratnam


The following account written by Paul M.M. Cooper is based on survivor interviews to Tamils Against Genocide (TAG). Personal details of Ainkaran (not his real name), place names and dates have been changed to protect his identity.

Ainkaran volunteered in a hospital in the contested North East of Sri Lanka when the government began its final offensive on the Tamil separatists. It was 2009, and the outlook was grim for the LTTE. The cadres had set up fortified settlements far behind the frontline in order to escape the artillery of the Sri Lankan Army, but there were some shells, with a range of 3-5km, that could still reach even these safe havens.

Mullivaikal remembered in Kilinochchi amidst military surveillance

May 17, 2014

Banner reads: "Always with tearful memories, dreams should be realised". Photograph Global Tamil News

TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide

May 17, 2014
TNPF General Secretary S. Kajendran lights candle of remembrance

Mullivaikal was remembered by the TNPF in an undisclosed location today after Sri Lankan military troops surrounded the party office, and prevented people from entering a planned remembrance event, to commemorate those that died at the final stages of the armed conflict.  

TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban

May 17, 2014
Photographs @Uthayarasashali


M.K. Shivajilingham, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Councillor to the Northern Province, and TNA MP, S. Sritharan, defied the military's ban against Mullivaikal commemorative events at temples holding a memorial event at Nallur temple late this afternoon.

Peace has not yet been settled – Canada’s Liberal Party leader

May 17, 2014

The leader of the Canadian Liberal Party Justin Trudeau, said that it must be acknowledged that peace has not been settled in Sri Lanka, although the armed conflict ended 5 years ago.

A statement, released by Mr Trudeau’s office, further said that he would remain committed to achieving accountability and justice for those who had suffered the consequences of the war.

Canadian Tamils commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament

May 17, 2014

An event to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the armed conflict was marked by Canadian Tamils and politicians at an event in the Canadian parliament.

Several MPs and senators spoke at the event on Thursday, hosted by the Canadian Tamil Congress.

Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna
Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai
Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran
Mullivaikal remembered in Kilinochchi amidst military surveillance
TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide
TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban
Peace has not yet been settled – Canada’s Liberal Party leader
Canadian Tamils commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament
Danish Tamils remember 5 years since Mullivaikkal
Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna
Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai
Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran
Mullivaikal remembered in Kilinochchi amidst military surveillance
TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide
TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban
Peace has not yet been settled – Canada’s Liberal Party leader
Canadian Tamils commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament
Danish Tamils remember 5 years since Mullivaikkal