Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Seventeen years on, Kepapilavu residents still blocked from ancestral lands
Residents of Kepapilavu in Mullaitivu continued their protest for a ninth consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of 59.5 acres of ancestral residential land that they say remains under Sri Lankan military occupation. The protest, taking place in the Karaithuraipattu divisional area, is being led by families who have been unable to return to their original lands for more…

Sri Lanka army commander makes trip to Mullaitivu base

Sep 5, 2015
Sri Lanka's army commander, Lieutenant General Crishanthe de Silva visited Mullaitivu on Friday to address troops deployed in the region.

The visit comes just before the release of the OHCHR inquiry into Sri Lanka at the end of this month.

European Union committed to a ‘healthy democracy’ in Sri Lanka

Sep 4, 2015
The European Union stated it was “committed to supporting a healthy democracy” in Sri Lanka, at a press conference on the island, earlier this week.

European Union Observation Mission (EU EOM) held an event to mark the distribution of more than 50 laptops, 15 tablets, 75 phones and other office equipment to civil society groups in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan police in Jaffna halt signature campaign

Sep 4, 2015

Update 2300 GMT


Sri Lankan police officials have reportedly attempted to stop a signature campaign in Jaffna calling for an international accountability mechanism to examine mass atrocities committed during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, where tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed.

The campaign, launched yesterday, had entered its second day and was taking place in locations across the North. In Nallur, whilst temple festivities were taking place campaigners set up a stall and collected signatures from the Jaffna public.

The president of the Tamil National People's Front Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam tweeted that Nallur police officials had subsequently arrived as signatures were being gathered and “ordered it to be stopped”.



Indian fishermen strike demanding Sri Lanka release arrested men

Sep 4, 2015

Approximately 50,000 Indian fishermen have launched an indefinite strike today demanding the Sri Lankan government release their arrested colleagues.

Fishermen from Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, three days after the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 16 fishermen and detained 3 of their boats.

Leaders from 11 different fishing associations met and announced the strike, as well as appealing to the Indian government to take steps to ensure that the fishermen are protected from the Sri Lankan navy.

We will talk to govt about national question straight away says TNA

Sep 4, 2015
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it would talk to the Sri Lankan government straight away regarding resolving the national question, stating that it was one of the objectives of the government.

“We will talk to the government straightaway with a view to resolving the long outstanding matter,” the spokesperson of the TNA, M A Sumanthiran, told the Daily Mirror.


Ranil to visit India this month

Sep 4, 2015

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit India and meet with Indian premier Narendra Modi.

The prime minister will be in New Delhi from September 14-16.

President Maithripala Sirisena will also visit India in October. The visit is linked to promoting Buddhism as a link between Asian countries according to Ada Derana.

DMK welcomes Sampanthan appointment as opposition leader

Sep 4, 2015

The president of the Dravida Munnetra Kalagam M Karunanidhi on Saturday welcomed the appointment of the TNA's R Sampanthan of the leader of the opposition in Sri Lanka's new parliament, PTI reported.

"Sampanthan being elected Leader of the Opposition at a time when Tamils were for long looking forward to a resurgence gives us all hope," he said in a statement.

UPFA MPs hold talks on forming a new opposition

Sep 4, 2015
Small parties within the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP) led coalition, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), who are opposed to the national unity government, have held talks about forming a common opposition, reported local papers.

"Discussions have been held by five political parties of UPFA represented in parliament on forming a common opposition," said the leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF), Wimal Weerawansa said.

The talks come after the Tamil National Alliance leader, R Sampanthan was appointed as the opposition leader.

Tamil from Sri Lanka dies in Chennai police custody

Sep 4, 2015
A Tamil from Sri Lanka died whilst in Indian police custody in Chennai on Friday, reported the Times of India.

The man, named Mohan, was detained by Chennai police in connection to an alleged fake passport incident.

According to the paper, Mohan was arrested after escaping, and "developed health complications and fell unconscious" whilst being questioned by police.

He was pronounced dead, on arrival at Perumbakkam hospital.

Ranil meets South Africa's President Zuma at Colombo airport

Sep 4, 2015
The Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met the South African president, Jacob Zuma, on Saturday at the airport in Colombo as President Zuma was returning home after a visit to China.



European Union committed to a ‘healthy democracy’ in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan police in Jaffna halt signature campaign
Indian fishermen strike demanding Sri Lanka release arrested men
We will talk to govt about national question straight away says TNA
Ranil to visit India this month
DMK welcomes Sampanthan appointment as opposition leader
UPFA MPs hold talks on forming a new opposition
Tamil from Sri Lanka dies in Chennai police custody
Ranil meets South Africa's President Zuma at Colombo airport
Balendran Jeyakumary release bid fails
European Union committed to a ‘healthy democracy’ in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan police in Jaffna halt signature campaign
Indian fishermen strike demanding Sri Lanka release arrested men
We will talk to govt about national question straight away says TNA
Ranil to visit India this month
DMK welcomes Sampanthan appointment as opposition leader
UPFA MPs hold talks on forming a new opposition
Tamil from Sri Lanka dies in Chennai police custody
Ranil meets South Africa's President Zuma at Colombo airport
Balendran Jeyakumary release bid fails