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…

We will work to ensure Tamils' right to self-determination vows TNPF

May 3, 2014
The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) pledged to work to "ensure an independent, respectful and peaceful life for the Tamil people, with the right to self-determination" and towards the party's political goal of "two nations one country", in series of 8 declaration made on May Day at the TNPF rally in Karaveddy.

See here for TNPF's statement in Tamil, the declarations have been translated below:
1. We will voice for the rights of Tamil workers, labourers and fisherpeople who are simultaneously facing racial discrimination and class oppression.

2. We will establish and take forward political, economic, and socio-cultural policies based on the benefit/good of the Tamil nation.

3. We will fight against the planned land grabs.

4. We will fight together to ensure an independent international investigation into the genocide of the Tamil people takes place.

4 Tamil students arrested in Eastern Uni amidst protests

May 3, 2014
Four Tamil students have been arrested by police in Eastern University in Batticaloa, after defying a suspension and entering into the grounds of the University yesterday, reports Uthayan.

Eastern University's Vanthaarumoolai campus, has been the focus of protests and repeated closures, following an attack on Tamil students at a birthday party by Sinhala students, which left 7 Tamil students injured. (See here for more on TamilNet).

Youth attacked with a sword in Jaffna

May 3, 2014
A youth was attacked last night by 12 men using a sword, the Uthayan reported.

The 24 year old youth, identified as Uthayakumaaran Kumaaran, has been admitted to Jaffna hospital, with severe injuries.

 Kodikamam police force are reportedly investigating the attack.

9th round of consultations with China 'highly successful' says Sri Lanka

May 2, 2014
Sri Lanka described a visit by a delegation from China as "high successful", following the 9th round of bilateral consultations between the two countries.

The event, co-chaired by Kshenuka Senewiratne, Secretary at Sri Lanka's Ministry of External Affairs and Liu Zhenmin, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, took place on 29 April.

54 asylum seekers detained by navy off Mullaitivu coast

May 2, 2014
Photographs News.lk


Fifty-four asylum seekers, including 13 children, attempting to flee on board a trawler, were detained by the Sri Lankan navy yesterday, off the coast of Mullaitivu.

Thirteen children, 11 women and 30 men have been arrested, and handed over CID officers at Trincomalee harbour, reported the government's news portal.

UNP protests for democracy after MPs assaulted

May 2, 2014
Photographs Colombo Telegraph


UNP MPs and supporters called for democracy, protesting against police inaction over the alleged assault of UNP MPs demonstrating outside Hambantota police station on April 17.

TNA calls for end to Sri Lankan state oppression at May Day

May 1, 2014
TNA rally at Chavakachcheri. Photograph @uthayarasashali

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called for an end to Sri Lankan state oppression, and for the Tamil people's right to self-determination, in a series of events across the North-East yesterday marking May Day.

TNPF calls for Tamil freedom from Sri Lankan state at May Day

May 1, 2014
Photographs @TNPForg

The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) marched against all forms of oppression inflicted on the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan stated, and called for the Tamil people's freedom from the Sri Lankan state at its May Day rally yesterday in Karaveddy.

We are unbowed' says President Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka's political parties mark May Day

May 1, 2014
Photograph DailyNews.lk

In a defiant speech as crowds gathered for the ruling UPFA May Day rally, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said "we are unbowed", pledging to resist any foreign force trying to change the government, as Sri Lanka's political parties, marked May Day yesterday.

Full text of 5 resolutions adopted by Northern Provincial Council this week

May 1, 2014
The Northern Provincial Council adopted five resolutions on Monday, at its 8th meeting.
See here for full text of all five resolutions, tabled by Northern Provincial Councillor M.K. Shivajilingham. 

Calling on the international community to find a permanent solution to the ethnic conflict which recognises the self-determination of the Tamil people, the NPC demanded that as a minimum, a federal setup is established for a sovereign Tamil nation with a merged Northern and Eastern provinces.

Condemning the Sri Lankan government's proscription of Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, one resolution questioned the intentions of the government in its action, and in three resolutions concerning the UN Human Rights Council session in March, the NPC thanked the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as all members states who sponsored and voted for a resolution mandating an international investigation into Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka's Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W. D. J. Seneviratna said that the Northern Provincial councils' adoption of the five resolutions, showed that they were promoting terrorism and the LTTE’s ‘separatist Eelam agenda’, and that it was "proof they are terrorists". See more here.

The text of the five resolutions has been reproduced in full below:

NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS - 28 April 2014

RESOLUTION 1

Tamil people seek justice under international norms for the crimes committed against them during the war; we express our gratitude to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and all those countries that sponsored the UNHRC Resolution during the March 2014 session calling for international investigation in Sri Lanka:

4 Tamil students arrested in Eastern Uni amidst protests
Youth attacked with a sword in Jaffna
9th round of consultations with China 'highly successful' says Sri Lanka
54 asylum seekers detained by navy off Mullaitivu coast
UNP protests for democracy after MPs assaulted
TNA calls for end to Sri Lankan state oppression at May Day
TNPF calls for Tamil freedom from Sri Lankan state at May Day
We are unbowed' says President Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka's political parties mark May Day
Full text of 5 resolutions adopted by Northern Provincial Council this week
UK urges Sri Lanka to renew commitment to free expression on World Press Freedom day
4 Tamil students arrested in Eastern Uni amidst protests
Youth attacked with a sword in Jaffna
9th round of consultations with China 'highly successful' says Sri Lanka
54 asylum seekers detained by navy off Mullaitivu coast
UNP protests for democracy after MPs assaulted
TNA calls for end to Sri Lankan state oppression at May Day
TNPF calls for Tamil freedom from Sri Lankan state at May Day
We are unbowed' says President Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka's political parties mark May Day
Full text of 5 resolutions adopted by Northern Provincial Council this week
UK urges Sri Lanka to renew commitment to free expression on World Press Freedom day