Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Thirteen more skeletal remains were exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave on Monday and a further seven newly identified, bringing the total identified at the site to 412, of which 390 have now been exhumed, as the excavation, the largest at any mass grave on the island, entered its 31st day. Monday, the 31st day of the third phase of the court-supervised process, saw three sets of remains…

Sri Lanka's opposition leader: Geneva and Tamil diaspora in control

Sri Lanka's opposition leader and former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa warned this week that what "Geneva and the [Tamil] diaspora" wanted was being implemented in Sri Lanka. 

Virtually no progress' in Sri Lanka on war crimes investigations says UN human rights chief's office

Sri Lanka has made "virtually no progress" on the investigation of war crimes, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in its report on Sri Lanka's efforts towards implementing resolution 30/1, which called for accountability and transitional justice through a hybrid mechanism. 

The report also raised concerns over the on-going reports of abduction, torture and sexual violence, institutional failures within the criminal justice system, ongoing harassment of human rights defenders since 2015 and the military’s continued occupation of civilian land.

TNPF honours assassinated Tamil MP 11 years on

Marking the 11th anniversary of the assassination of the Tamil MP K Sivanesan, Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) held a commemorate event on Wednesday remembering his life. 

Trinco families of disappeared mark 2 years of protest

Families of the disappeared in Trincomalee collected signatures today, marking two years of campaigning for answers. 

Batticaloa residents demand removal of army camp

Tamils in Batticaloa staged a protest yesterday demanding the removal of Murakkoddansenai army camp. 

Residents gathered in front of the camp yesterday, demanding the withdrawal of the army from the school building and residents' lands, as well as the re-opening of the road for civilian use. 

Murakkoddansenai army camp has been present since 1990 occupying Murakkoddansenai Ramakrishna School and the lands of 52 residents. 

Skeletal remains found in Batticaloa

Skeletal remains were found in Saththukkondan, Batticaloa on Wednesday as villagers sought to dig a well. 

Police officers were called and collected the bone fragments, which have been sent to Colombo for further investigation. 

5 more Sinhala traders arrested in Jaffna

Five Sinhala traders were arrested on Tuesday for illegally harvesting aloe vera in the Ponnalai area of Jaffna. 

Tamil parties honour female LTTE fighters on Women's Day

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) honoured female LTTE fighters and activists at events marking International Women's Day. 

Mullaitivu families of disappeared demand answers on IWD

Families of the disappeared in Mullaitivu marked International Women's Day with a demonstration calling for accountability and justice for their disappeared loved ones. 

Answers for families of disappeared 'taking too long' warns US

Marking International Women's Day by visiting families of the disappeared in the North-East, the United States ambassador Alaina B Teplitz highlighted the lack of progress in Sri Lanka over enforced disappearances.