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…

Australian senator urges CHOGM boycott

Nov 10, 2013
Lee Rhiannon, the Australian senator that was detained in Sri Lanka, along with a New Zealand MP, has written in the Guardian recounting her experiences in Sri Lanka and in the Northeast, concluding that Australia should boycott CHOGM.

See Rhiannon’s full piece on Comment is Free. Extracts reproduced below:

Protest organisers in Vali North receive death warnings

Nov 10, 2013

Tamil campaigners and members of the elected body who had been organising protests against land grab in Valikaamam North, found the heads of dead cows on their doorsteps on Monday morning - an act that is considered a death threat.

NZ Prime Minister 'definitely going to Sri Lanka'

Nov 10, 2013
The Prime Minister of New Zealad has said he is 'definitely going to Sri Lanka' despite growing oppposition to his visit, and the detention of a New Zealand MP in Colombo last week.

Prime Minister John Key stated that it "just happens to be that Sri Lanka is the host of the summit in 2013" confirming that he would not boycott the summit.

Australian Senator detained after speaking out in Sri Lanka

Nov 9, 2013

Senator Rhiannon being detained by SL officials.
Photo:Tamil Mirror


Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon was detained by Sri Lankan authorities after speaking out against sexual abuse and land confiscation by state authorities on the island, on her return to Colombo from the Tamil North-East.

Sri Lanka refuses to sign oil storage deal with Indian firm

Nov 9, 2013

The Sri Lankan government has hardened its stance on a lease agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation.

The Indian company is trying to set up a bitumen plant in the northeast, however Sri Lanka has not signed the 10-year old agreement.

Foreign media restricted to report on CHOGM only - Media Ministry

Nov 9, 2013

Foreign media who have arrived in Sri Lanka to cover the Commonwealth summit, will be restricted to reporting on CHOGM related events only, said Media Secretary Charitha Herath.

“There will be no restrictions on travel within Sri Lanka for foreign media personnel who arrive in the country for CHOGM, but only as tourists,” he said.

“However, those who come as part of the official delegations of various countries, can carry out media related activities and will get accreditation to cover only CHOGM related events.”

Premier Singh not attending CHOGM – Indian press reports

Nov 8, 2013

Indian media reports say Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has will not attend the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka next week.

India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.

Isaipriya's fate was previously unknown to her family

Nov 8, 2013
The family of Tamil journalist Isaipriya had known nothing of her capture and execution until video evidence was broadcast on Channel 4.

Isaipriya's mother and two sisters, had only recently arrived seeking asylum in the UK. Her mother told Channel 4 that she had always thought that Isaipriya had died a victim of shelling.

See full interview on Jonathan Miller's blog.

Commonwealth will help Sri Lanka investigate torture

Nov 8, 2013

The Commonwealth Secratariat will help Sri Lanka set up a National Inquiry on Torture, Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma told the Hindu.

The inquiry, to be set up under the 'Sri Lanka National Human Rights Commission', will reportedly investigate all allegations of torture commited by state agents from 2009 to the present and will take 18 months to complete its work.

Jaffna University will be closed for Tamil Remembrance Day - report

Nov 8, 2013

Students of Jaffna University have been told to go home after notices were posted on the premises, saying that it will be closed until December 2, according to Colombo Gazette.

Protest organisers in Vali North receive death warnings
NZ Prime Minister 'definitely going to Sri Lanka'
Australian Senator detained after speaking out in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka refuses to sign oil storage deal with Indian firm
Foreign media restricted to report on CHOGM only - Media Ministry
Premier Singh not attending CHOGM – Indian press reports
Isaipriya's fate was previously unknown to her family
Commonwealth will help Sri Lanka investigate torture
Jaffna University will be closed for Tamil Remembrance Day - report
Tamils still face rape and torture in Sri Lanka's 'Unfinished War' - BBC reports
Protest organisers in Vali North receive death warnings
NZ Prime Minister 'definitely going to Sri Lanka'
Australian Senator detained after speaking out in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka refuses to sign oil storage deal with Indian firm
Foreign media restricted to report on CHOGM only - Media Ministry
Premier Singh not attending CHOGM – Indian press reports
Isaipriya's fate was previously unknown to her family
Commonwealth will help Sri Lanka investigate torture
Jaffna University will be closed for Tamil Remembrance Day - report
Tamils still face rape and torture in Sri Lanka's 'Unfinished War' - BBC reports