Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Vavuniya High Court freezes governor's removal of mayor
The Vavuniya High Court has issued an interim order suspending the gazette through which the Northern Province governor removed the Vavuniya mayor, S. Kandeepan, from office, freezing the decision that had triggered protests across the town. The order was made on Friday, when the court took up a writ application filed by Kandeepan challenging the governor's move. Speaking to reporters…

TNPF defy military to remember Mullivaikal genocide

May 17, 2014
TNPF General Secretary S. Kajendran lights candle of remembrance

Mullivaikal was remembered by the TNPF in an undisclosed location today after Sri Lankan military troops surrounded the party office, and prevented people from entering a planned remembrance event, to commemorate those that died at the final stages of the armed conflict.  

TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban

May 17, 2014
Photographs @Uthayarasashali


M.K. Shivajilingham, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Councillor to the Northern Province, and TNA MP, S. Sritharan, defied the military's ban against Mullivaikal commemorative events at temples holding a memorial event at Nallur temple late this afternoon.

Peace has not yet been settled – Canada’s Liberal Party leader

May 17, 2014

The leader of the Canadian Liberal Party Justin Trudeau, said that it must be acknowledged that peace has not been settled in Sri Lanka, although the armed conflict ended 5 years ago.

A statement, released by Mr Trudeau’s office, further said that he would remain committed to achieving accountability and justice for those who had suffered the consequences of the war.

Canadian Tamils commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament

May 17, 2014

An event to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the armed conflict was marked by Canadian Tamils and politicians at an event in the Canadian parliament.

Several MPs and senators spoke at the event on Thursday, hosted by the Canadian Tamil Congress.

Danish Tamils remember 5 years since Mullivaikkal

May 17, 2014

Tamils in Denmark marked the 5th anniversary of Mullivaikkal with a protest in Kopenhagen and an event in Randes.

Tamils gather in London to remember massacre of May 2009

May 17, 2014

Photographs Tamil Guardian

Thousands of Tamils gathered in London to mark the 5 year anniversary of the end of the armed conflict where tens of thousands of Tamils were killed.

GTF hails Jayalalithaa, Modi victories, urges decisive action on Tamil question

May 16, 2014
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) hailed the sweeping victories of the Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu and BJP leader Narenda Modi in India as historic, congratulating both on their appointment, and expressing hope that the new government "will stand firmly against the past and present injustices faced by the Tamils and deal decisively with the Rajapaksa government in bringing just peace in the island of Sri Lanka."

“GTF is delighted that the determined voice of support that has echoed consistently from across the Palk Strait has been strengthened by a historic democratic vote [and] send our humble congratulations in celebrating Madam Jayalalithaa and her party being re-elected with an overwhelming historic majority to lead the people of Tamil Nadu and be the leader of Tamils all over the world including the Tamil nation in the island of Sri Lanka,” GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran told Tamil Guardian.

Highlighting the vocal positions Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had taken over recent years against the mass atrocities inflicted on the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, Mr. Surendiran expressed hope that she would be able to exert her influence on the new BJP led government. Jayalalithaa's party, AIADMK, winning 37 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, has emerged the third largest party in India.
"Madam Jayalalithaa and her party have stood firm against the injustices levelled upon the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka. Madam Jayalalithaa is the first elected international leader who has formally referred to what is happening to the Tamil nation in the island as genocide, called for an international investigation in Sri Lanka to establish whether war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed, demanded for economic sanctions against the Colombo government and referred to President Rajapaksa as a war criminal."

"GTF sincerely hopes that Madam Jayalalithaa will be able to influence the new BJP led government under Prime Minister Elect, Hon. Narendra Modi to stand firm and be decisive when dealing with the historic and continued injustices served upon our people in the island of Sri Lanka."

Profiles of May 2009: Ahalya

May 16, 2014
Tamils Against Genocide (TAG)
Illustration by Keera Ratnam


The following account written by Paul M.M. Cooper is based on a survivor interview to Tamils Against Genocide (TAG). Personal details of Ahalya (*not her real name) and her family members, place names and dates have been changed to protect their identities.

Ahalya was in her late twenties when the war in the Northeast of Sri Lanka came to an end. She was the sister of an LTTE fighter who was killed fighting in the war, and since his death had been determined to do what she could to alleviate the suffering of the Tamil-majority population of the LTTE-controlled zone.

During the war, Ahalya assisted in the hospital in Oru Kiraamam, while her mother and father stayed at home and looked after her little son. It was hard work, and at first dealing with the wounded and the sick made her heart tremble. She grew tougher, though, and before long her work at the hospital, along with caring for her child, became the focus of her life.

UK politicians and campaigners condemn structural violence against Tamil women in Sri Lanka

May 16, 2014


UK politicians, rights activists and campaigners condemned the structural violence taking place against Tamil women in the North-East of Sri Lanka, at a conference held in the House of Commons in Westminster, on Tuesday.

The event, highlighting the extensive sexual violence, torture and abuses still being inflicted on Tamil women and the societal structures that lead to these atrocities and perpetuate impunity, was organised by a cross party group of UK MPs, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) in collaboration with the British Tamils Forum (BTF).

The societal structures present within Sri Lanka that lead to the injustices and atrocities Tamil women faced were discussed by a panel of activists, campaigners and journalists. The panel comprised Dr Frank Arnold from the medical campaign group MEDACT, Charu Lata Hogg from Chatham House and Child Soldiers International, Dr Juliet Cohen from Freedom From Torture; and Sujatha Moorthy from the telephone counseling service Jothy Helpline. The panel was moderated by Dr Sivakami Rajamanoharan, Tamil Guardian editor.


 

Army bans temple events and public gatherings in Jaffna, Kili and Mullaitivu

May 16, 2014
The Sri Lankan army has issued a ban on temple events and public gatherings in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, intended to commemorate those that died in Mullivaikkal, the Uthayan reported.

Disrupting the annual temple festival taking place at Vairavar temple near Koppai teaching school yesterday, the Sri Lankan army entered yesterday, and ordered the temple officials to stop the festival. The army declared that no prayers should take place on May 17 or 18.

TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban
Peace has not yet been settled – Canada’s Liberal Party leader
Canadian Tamils commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament
Danish Tamils remember 5 years since Mullivaikkal
Tamils gather in London to remember massacre of May 2009
GTF hails Jayalalithaa, Modi victories, urges decisive action on Tamil question
Profiles of May 2009: Ahalya
UK politicians and campaigners condemn structural violence against Tamil women in Sri Lanka
Army bans temple events and public gatherings in Jaffna, Kili and Mullaitivu
Man arrested by Army for possession of Mullivaikkal remembrance flyer
TNA Shivajilingham, Sritharan mark May 18 at Nallur, defying military ban
Peace has not yet been settled – Canada’s Liberal Party leader
Canadian Tamils commemorate Mullivaikkal in parliament
Danish Tamils remember 5 years since Mullivaikkal
Tamils gather in London to remember massacre of May 2009
GTF hails Jayalalithaa, Modi victories, urges decisive action on Tamil question
Profiles of May 2009: Ahalya
UK politicians and campaigners condemn structural violence against Tamil women in Sri Lanka
Army bans temple events and public gatherings in Jaffna, Kili and Mullaitivu
Man arrested by Army for possession of Mullivaikkal remembrance flyer