Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay to provide the Criminal Investigation Department with the passwords to his mobile phone and computer as part of the ongoing investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The order was issued on Wednesday by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, while Sallay…

Sri Lankan police investigate BBS chief over Islamophobic comments

Sri Lankan police confirmed they are investigating a complaint made against Badu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara over comments he made about Islam.

The Sunday Leader reports the Buddhist monk is alleged to have insulted the Quran. The BBS leader though denies the allegations, stating that he only spoke out against extremism.

However, he went on to say “the Muslims in this country were confined to extremist ideologies of the Quran”.

Wimal tells Sri Lankans in Europe that island is under threat

Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa told Sri Lankans living in Europe that the island was currently under threat and would face several dangers in the near future.

The parliamentarian is currently touring Europe where is briefing the Sri Lankan community on the political future of the island.

He has given 13 lectures so far London, Paris, Italy, Germany and Norway, said media spokesperson of the NFF Mohammad Musammil, including one entitled, “The Injustice done to a Nation by a White man’s court” in Berlin.

Sri Lankan soldiers distribute shoes to Tamil school children

 

Sri Lankan troops distributed shoes to Tamil school children in Mulankavil on Christmas Eve, reported a military website.

 

Troops from the 651 Brigade “on the directions of Major General Amal Karunasekerathe” – the Commander of the Security Force Headquarters in Kilinochchi (SFHQ- KLN) – handed out shoes to 50 Tamil school children in the region.

Sri Lankan troops conduct Buddhist ceremony in Mullaitivu


The Sri Lankan military conducted a Buddhist ceremony in Mullaitivu on Christmas Eve, as part of religious ceremonies the military continues to undertake in the North-East.

Sri Lanka's PM appoints committee to obtain input on constitutional reform

Sri Lanka’s prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee to obtain public vies on constitutional reforms, reports the Colombo Gazette.

 The committee which consist of politicians and members of civil society will receive written and oral proposals from the public and submit proposals to the cabinet sub-committee on electoral reforms.

The 24 committee appointed by Mr Wickrememsinge is led by Sri Lankan attorney Lal Wijeynayake. 

ITAK to consider action against TNA MP who joined Tamil Peoples' Council

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) may consider taking action against MP Dharmalingam Sidhartan for joining the Tamil People’s Council.

Mr Sidhartan who leads the TNA constituent party People’s Liberation Front (PLOTE), jointed the new organisation which is headed by the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council CV Wigneswaran.

The General Secretary of the Illangai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Mavai Senathirajah called for an inquiry into Sidhartan’s decision, to see if it violates any party principles, reports Colombo Gazette.

Sangakkara and Jayawardena apologise for concert after Sirisena condemnation

The cricket duo, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene apologised on Monday after the concert by Enrique Igleasias, which was organised by their company Live Events, drew condemnation from Sri Lanka's president after women threw their underwear at the singer.

"Although we know an apology or refund cannot fully satiate your disappointment, we wish to reiterate that we remain fully committed to all of you and our country," the pair, who are currently in Australia, were quoted as saying.

"A full and thorough internal inquiry is ongoing into all areas of concern," they added, without responding directly to the president's remarks.

Rajapaksa says new political front inevitable

The former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa warned on Monday that a new political front was inevitable if party members were expelled from within the organisation.

Speaking after the opening of a new office of the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) in Urubokka, Matara district, Mr Rajapaksa said members who had been expelled would come together to form a strong opposition.

"If people are thrown out of their parties, they will have no alternative but to form a new political party. Everyone has the responsibility to form a strong opposition" he was quoted by the BBC as saying.

Sirisena gets support from Rajapaksa-loyalist on whipping controversy

The leader of the PHU Udaya Gammanpila, who is an MP aligned to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has asked President Maithripala Sirisena to order the whipping of the organisers of a concert featuring Enrique Iglesias, as he had the authority to order such punishment, the DailyMirror reported.

Mr Gammanpila, who gained the third-highest number of votes in Colombo during the general election, said the environment which "made a woman under the influence" of alcohol throw underwear on the stage should be investigated.

“As far as I am concerned, drinking alcohol in public is prohibited but distributing and selling them in public is not illegal according to Sri Lanka’s regulations. The President should be responsible in preventing such indecent concerts taking place in the country in the future,” he said.

The president yesterday called for the organisers to be whipped with toxic stingray tails, after he took offence to the behaviour of some women at the concert, in comments that went viral and became the subject of ridicule around the world.

Wigneswaran clarifies Tamil People's Council motives

The Chief Minister of the Northern Province has spoken about the Tamil People’s Council’s aims, reassuring that the council will not work against political parties or the wellbeing of the Tamil people.

Speaking at the Council’s second meeting, C. V. Wigneswaran, who also heads the TPC refuted criticism of the creation of the council and explained the motives behind the move.

Mr Wigneswaran said the TPC would act as an operation to gather, organise and publish the people’s views as well as assist political representatives whose aim is to protect the wellbeing of the Tamil people. The organisation aims to unite the Tamil people to win our rights, he said.

Expanding on the council’s three main objectives, Mr Wigneswaran said that they would firstly work to build a grassroots movement which could drive political leaders to achieve a solid solution for the Tamil people.

“Any freedom movement must act with the grassroots as a foundation. Individuals and middle-men cannot obtain a solution for us,” he said.