Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing". Speaking at a media briefing held at the Mannar Urban Council on Friday, Vasanthan criticised the decision to arrest the…

Rights group slam Sri Lanka’s rejection of UPR recommendations

Several human rights organisations have reacted to Sri Lanka’s rejection of 100 UPR recommendations made by states at the United Nations and called for international independent investigations into massacres of aid workers and civilians.

Highlighting in particular the cases of five students shot dead in Trincomalee beach in 2006, the father of one of the victims, 21-year-old Ragihar, Dr K Manoharan told reporters after the UPR, 
"I want an international inquiry and international judgment, otherwise I am not satisfied".
Yolanda Foster from Amnesty International added that,
"The Trincomalee 5 case along with the ACF case [where 17 aid workers were executed] is sort of emblematic of a culture of impunity in Sri Lanka where security forces are given carte blanche to continue to commit violations because the state is failing to independently investigate and prosecute".
The President of Action Contre la Faim (ACF), Benoit Miribel, president of the French group Action Contre la Faim, said the organisation’s 17 aid workers were shot in the back of the head in their Muttur in August 2006, commenting,
"In reality, the investigation has been a succession of obstruction, interference, of politics in the judiciary and a lack of transparency and independence...Nothing has really happened during the last six years."
Ian Seiderman, legal and policy director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), added to calls for an investigation after Sri Lanka’s UPR rejection, stating,
"This really underscores the need for a proper full-scale international inquiry."
Speaking to Public International Radio, Alan Keenan from the International Crisis Group also added that things “things are going from bad to worse in Sri Lanka, in a slow way the world doesn't quite understand”.

Ofcom rejects complaints against Channel 4 documentary on Sri Lanka

The British broadcasting regulator Ofcom has cleared Channel 4’s documentary “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished” from allegations it was biased and misleading.

In a bulletin, the watchdog outlined the allegations, and said it received “extremely detailed” complaints, disputing evidence presented by the programme makers and claiming the broadcaster “underplayed” the role of the LTTE.

Military service in diplomacy

Three military generals have been approved to diplomatic appointments across the world, reports the Sunday Times.

Indian Army chief to visit SL

The head of the Indian Army, General Singh, is due to visit Sri Lanka in December, to discuss strengthening of defence cooperation, reports PTI.

The discussions are expected to centre around training, military hardware and joint exercises, but comes amidst increasing outcry against such joint exercises fromTamil Nadu.

Sri Lanka rejects 100 UPR recommendations from fellow states

The Sri Lankan Government has rejected 100 recommendations made by member states, during its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier on Monday.

Out of the 210 recommendations made, Sri Lanka has chosen to formally reject almost half of them, with 100 listed as not enjoying the support of Sri Lanka.

A selection of recommendations rejected by Sri Lanka have been published below. See the full list here.
  • Fully implement the recommendations of the LLRC, in particular steps to ensure independent and effective investigations into all allegations of serious human rights violations, in the context of Sri Lanka’s civil war and its aftermath  (Austria)
  • Rapidly implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (France);
  • Continue implementing the recommendations of the LLRC report and the report of the Panel of Expert in accordance with the Human Rights Council Resolution 19/2 (Germany);
  • Implement the constructive recommendations of the LLRC, including the removal of the military from civilian functions, creation of mechanisms to address cases of the missing and detained, issuance of death certificates, land reform; devolution of power; and disarming paramilitaries (USA);
  • Guarantee access to the North and the East of the country to international and local humanitarian organizations specialized on family tracing and reunification programs (Uruguay);

Karunanidhi calls for UN referendum

The leader of the DMK, M Karunanidhi has called on India to urge the UN to hold a referendum in the Northeast of Sri Lanka, to determine the political future of its people, reported The Hindu.

When asked about reporters about Delhi’s reluctance to get involved in the affairs of a sovereign country, Karunanidhi said that this is why the resolution passed the TESO conference was not in support of an independent Tamil Eelam.

“We want only a referendum and believe that it will benefit Sri Lankan Tamils and secure their rights,” he said.
Karunanidhi said a referendum would put an end to "tears and blood” shed by Tamils and that India should use its influence to garner support across the world.

Gota visits South Africa, ahead of India

Sri Lanka's defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa recently undertook a 'secret' official visit to South Africa, reports The Sri Lankan Guardian.

Citing a 'reliable source' in Sri Lanka's External Affairs ministry, the news site stated that Gotabhaya arrived on the 27th October, accompanied by Vinayagamoorthi Muralidaran, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Anura Prayadarshana Yapa, Neomal Perera, Faizer Musthapa and Janaka Bandara.

Rajapaksa pledges non-interference

Referring to the parliamentary impeachment motion against the Chief Justice, President Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that the government has no intention of interfering with the judiciary or its independence.

Addressing an event held for senior journalists, Rajapaska ensured that all professions be it judiciary or journalism, would be able to act without any interference.

Navy accused of attacking Indian fishermen and damaging boats

The Sri Lankan Navy has been accused of assaulting and damaging 30 boats of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu on Sunday.

Around 2,000 fishermen in more than 600 boats were fishing in the Palk Straits before being attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy, reported ColomboPage.

Attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy have been frequently occurring, with Tamil Nadu fishermen describing them as “commonplace” last month.

US concerned about impeachment

The US Department of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs have issued a press statement expressing concern about impeachment proceedings against the Sri Lankan Chief Justice.

The statement as reproduced in full: