• Second day of Thileepan remembrance in Jaffna and Batticaloa

    The second day of Thileepan's fast unto death was marked in Jaffna and Batticaloa on Sunday.

  • Sri Lankan navy attacks Tamil Nadu fishermen

    The Sri Lankan navy attacked Tamil Nadu fishermen on Sunday, PTI reports.

    Fishermen from Rameswaram were threatened by armed Sri Lankan navy personnel near Katchatheevu and around 100 boats had their catch and fishing equipment damaged.

  • Seven Tamil youths arrested for confrontation with police

    Seven Tamil youths were arrested in Vavuniya for a confrontation with police during a bus search.

    The youths were arrested after police stopped a bus they were travelling on in Cheddikulam.

    Other passengers travelling on the bus said that the youths became confrontational as they felt the police were harassing them by questioning them excessively.

  • Sirisena recalls ambassador for not answering phone

    The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena recalled the country's ambassador to Vienna along with five other embassy staff for leaving his phonecalls "unanswered for several hours", the AFP reports. 

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Ambassador Priyanee Wijesekera recall, however remained silent on the reason for it. 

  • TNA concerned about draft counter-terrorism bill

    The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has expressed concern about draft counter-terror legislation, which is intended to replace the widely criticised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

    A proposal by the minister of foreign affairs, Tilak Marapana to gazette the Counter-Terrorism Bill was approved by the Cabinet on September 11. 

  • Sri Lankan diplomat arrested in Italy for human trafficking

    A Sri Lankan diplomat was arrested last weekend for alleged human trafficking, the Italian news site, Varese7 Press, reported. 

    The diplomat, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly attempted to bring two woman and two men in their twenties into Italy, for a fee of 4000 Euros per person. 

    An extract from the Daily Mirror is reproduced below: 

  • Former Sri Lankan ministers admit military executed Tamils

    A former Sri Lankan minister who was part of the Rajapaksa administration has admitted that surrendered Tamils, including civilians and LTTE cadre, were executed by the military during the end of the armed conflict in 2009. 

    Speaking at a press conference in Colombo on September 13, the former higher education minister, S B Dissanayake highlighted the case of the LTTE military commander, Col. Ramesh. 

  • Government says no plans to arrest Admiral wanted over disappearances case

    The Sri Lankan government has rejected news reports stating the country's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was looking to arrest the chief of defence staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne over his alleged involvement in helping the main suspect of a disappearance case evade arrest. 

  • Hand grenade found inside Jaffna Uni complex

    A hand grenade was found on Friday at the site of the Parameswaran temple, located inside the university complex. 

    The grenade, which is understood to be faulty, was found by workers, who are currently renovating the temple. 

  • Police arrest 2 youths in Jaffna

    Two Tamil youths were arrested on September 12 by police for allegedly possessing cannabis. 

    The youths, who were detained at the police station for questioning, are believed to be from Alvai, Vadamaradchchi. 

    Police accuse them of being in possession of 1kg of cannabis. 

  • North-East marks 31 years since Thileepan commenced fast unto death

    Tamils across the North-East today marked 31 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his fast unto death, demanding the Indian government upheld its promises to the Tamil people. 

    Over 100,000 people gathered at the Nallur temple in Jaffna on September 15, 1987 to hear his words as he began the hunger strike. 

  • Sri Lankan rupee drop continues and hits a fresh low

    Sri Lanka’s rupee continued its fall, dropping to a fresh low on Friday, amidst a shaky outlook for the economy.

    The rupee hit a fresh low of 163.60 per dollar, according to Reuters data, ending at 163.60/70 per dollar.

  • Thileepan memorial cleaned ahead of commemorations

    The memorial for Lt. Col. Thileepan was cleaned this week in preparation for commemorative events later this month. 

    The memorial, located in Nallur, Jaffna, had previously been destroyed by the Sri Lankan military. 

    Earlier this year, the Jaffna Municipal Council decided that they would renovate it, with plans that the monument will be rebuilt to its former design, which originally included a 23-foot pillar.

  • Wanted Admiral flies to Mexico, Sumanthiran calls for international justice

    Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian M A Sumanthiran criticised Sri Lanka’s president after Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, who is wanted over his involvement in the murder case of Tamil youths, was allowed to fly to Mexico last week.

  • Port City to function under its own laws - Harsha

    Sri Lanka's state minister of national policies and economic affairs, Harsha De Silva said this week the Chinese funded Port City development in Hambantota would have a financial centre functioning under its own new laws. 

    “We’re in the process of finalising the Port City legal framework but nothing we do in the Port City will be contra the constitution,” De Silva said, attempting to assure that the City would remain within the current constitutional framework. 

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