Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A fisherman in Keppapulavu, Mullaitivu, was assaulted during a visit by Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister, Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, as tensions flared during the Minister’s local government election campaign on 24 April. Chandrasekaran, who was touring the North-East with National People’s Power (NPP) candidates, visited Keppapulavu where he met with representatives of the Keppapulavu Fishermen…

LLRC report through the eyes of the JHU

Slamming the LLRC report as "one-sided", the secretary of the JHU, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka condemned the report for only recommending investigations in the Sri Lankan army and navy, whilst criticising the report for going "beyond its mandate".

Ranawaka reportedly said, 

“There are no recommendations to conduct investigations against the LTTE atrocities but the army and navy”.

“The report discusses political matters beyond its mandate”.

As foreigners sell, rupee defended

As foreign investors sold their shares in the Colombo Stock Exchange Tuesday, the Central Bank stepped in to preserve the value of the rupee.

By selling SLR 788 million in stock, foreign investors were heavy net sellers as Sri Lanka’s stock exchange resumed trading Tuesday after the Christmas holidays. Despite the foreign disinvestment, the main All Share Price Index gained 0.54 percent (32.51 points) to 6,015.09 as local investors (mainly government institutions) stepped in to buy.

Rajapakse associate arrested for murder and rape of tourists

A close associate of the Rajapakse clan has been arrested in connection with the murder of a British tourist and the suspected rape of his Russian girlfriend.

Kuram Shaikah Zaman, who was 27 years old was killed on Christmas eve after intervening in a dispute between locals in Tangalle.

Lucky cattle

The Sri Lankan army, having been whale-watching, sold vegetables and run hotels, are now trying their luck with herding cattle.

Stray cattle in the Vanni have been herded and are being returned to civilians according to military officials.

Lt. Col. P.A. Dayananda, also known as the military's chief coordinator of civil affairs, stated that of the 10,000 stray cattle identified, 2500 have been returned to their "rightful oweners".

Tamil nation will fight on for self-rule - TNA MP

Speaking in Tamil during parliament on 21/12/11, TNA MP, Mavai Senathirajah, stated the TNA will never succomb to the Sri Lankan state's oppression.

See video for speech in full, extracts translated below.

British tourist murdered on Christmas Eve after row with local politician

Several journalists have faced death threats and intimidation after reporting on the murder of a British tourist in southern Town of Tangella on the 24th of December.

Eyewitnesses have reported that Sampath Vidanapathirana, chairman of the Tangalle Pradesheeya Sabha (regional council), had been seen arguing with the couple at the Nature restaurant in Medilla, shortly before the attack took place.

From combatants to criminals'

Crimes by former and current members of the Sri Lankan security forces are on the increase, the Sunday times reports.

The paper details in its article several crimes committed, including the killing of MP Bharatha Lakshman and grease devil attacks in the Tamil homeland.

Extracts from the report:

"Investigations into recent crimes, have revealed a disturbing trend of the involvement of members of the armed forces who have deserted as well as those still serving.

Fonseka ignored in Sri Lankan 'epic'

Incarcerated, former commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Sarath Fonseka, is to be ignored in the write-up of the new chapters of the Sri Lankan epic, the Mahavamsa, The Sunday Leader reports.

Three new chapters are going to be added to the chronicles of Sri Lankan history, which covers "the life and times of the people who forged Sri Lanka, from the coming of Vijaya in 543 BCE to the reign of King Mahasena (334 – 361); from the 6th Century BC to the 4th Century AD."

Another volume, the Culavamsa covers the period from the 4th Century till the British colonisation.

Keep your eyes on the road

Motorists across Colombo are in danger from giant electronic billboards of Sri Lanka's president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, warned the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Rajapaksa's cut outs and billboards could distract unsuspecting motorists the CMC asserted.

Act decisively' on devolution of power - India

India expects Sri Lanka to "act decisively" to achieve a "political settlement based on the devolution of power' announced the External Affairs Ministry in a statement made Sunday on the release of the LLRC report.

Urging resettlement and normal civilian life, India continues to avoid the issue of accountability and justice.

The ministry's spokesperson, Vishnu Prakash, said,