Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Families of the disappeared renew call for international justice as more than 400 die waiting
Tamil families of the forcibly disappeared in the North-East have announced that they will convene an international conference on 30 August, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, to renew their rejection of Sri Lanka's domestic accountability mechanisms and their demand for international justice. The announcement was made by representatives of the Association…

Phosphorus attacks covered up in hospitals

Nov 1, 2013
An article by British newspaper the Times has presented evidence of the use of phosphorus shells against civilians, and of the cover-up methods, including blackmail, employed by government medical staff.

The article recounts the experiences of 'Kannaki', a victim of phosphorus shelling left with extensive bodily burns and a disfigured face.

British Tamils demand boycott of CHOGM

Nov 1, 2013

Over 2000 British Tamils gathered today to march through the streets of London today demanding that British Prime Minister boycott the upcoming Common Wealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which is set to take place in Sri Lanka later this month.

Starting the rally at Embankment station, the protestors marched along the river towards the Houses of Parliament. Ending their rally at Whitehall in front of Number 10 Downing Street, demonstrators shouted slogans urging Prime Minister David Cameron to reconsider his involvement at CHOGM.

Amnesty International protests against CHOGM in Sri Lanka

Nov 1, 2013

Hundreds of Amnesty International campaigners staged a protest at Parliament Square today, against British involvement at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Indian PM 'aware' of CHOGM opposition

Oct 31, 2013
India's Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has said that the central government is aware of some minister's opposing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's attendance at CHOGM.

However the Hindu newspaper also drew attention to Northern Provincial Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran's refusal to boycott CHOGM, and reported a senior Indian government official as saying:

“If he attends, what is now left for us to protest?”

Sri Lanka deports international journalists

Oct 31, 2013
Sri Lankan’s immigration authorities deported two international journalists, for breaching the country’s visa regulations today.

The two journalists, Asia Pacific Director of the International Federation of journalists (IFJ) Jacqueline Parker and Deputy Director, Jane Worthington, were deported after being detained and interrogated.
Sri Lankan authorities wiped all the data from a journalist's laptop before sending her back to Australia, reports the AFP.

Sri Lankan military commends parents of 'War Heroes'

Oct 31, 2013
A ceremony of appreciation  was staged for the parents of Sri Lankan Army ‘war heroes’  who were killed in the ethnic conflict, reports the Ministry of Defence.

Parents of 135 perished Sri Lankan military personnel were rewarded with medals and parchments containing certificates.

This week also saw the Sri Lankan military demolish the remaining graveyards of the LTTE.

Gotabhaya welcomes Cameron visit to Jaffna

Oct 30, 2013

Defence Secretary and war crimes accused Gotabhaya Rajapkasa has said he welcomes international visits to the north of the island, as this could help the government “counter the lies” that are spread by the “LTTE rump”.

SL 'must allow a UN investigation' - Telegraph editorial

Oct 30, 2013
The Telegraph editorial on Thursday, entitled 'Sri Lanka's tragedy', called on British Prime Minister David Cameron to ensure Sri Lanka holds an 'independent and international inquiry' into the fate of the thousands of disappeared people.

Sri Lanka has the second highest number of 'disappeared' people in the world according to the UN, behind only Iraq.

Speaking on the upcoming CHOGM, the piece went on to say Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is 'deeply compromised' and it was 'never sensible' to allow Sri Lanka to host the event, yet it also added that a British boycott would not 'be wise'.

Disappearances, rape and torture remain prevalent in the North-East

Oct 30, 2013

Rape and torture by Sri Lankan security forces continues unabated despite the imminent arrival of David Cameron and 50 world leaders for a Commonwealth summit in the country, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) today.

Data gathered by Human Rights Watch revealed that Sri Lanka had the 2nd highest number of outstanding disappearance cases in the world.

Sri Lanka expels Australian IFJ activists

Oct 30, 2013
Sri Lanka has expelled two Australia media activists from the International Federation of Journalists, after raiding a Colombo hotel where they were speaking to colleagues on the island.

The pair, Jacqui Park and Jean Worthington, were interrogated by immigration and police officials before being expelled for breaking visa conditions.

Sunil Jayasekera from the Free Media Movement stated the two Australians were on holiday and were meeting their colleagues in a hotel in Colombo, before being held by the Sri Lankan authorities.
British Tamils demand boycott of CHOGM
Amnesty International protests against CHOGM in Sri Lanka
Indian PM 'aware' of CHOGM opposition
Sri Lanka deports international journalists
Sri Lankan military commends parents of 'War Heroes'
Gotabhaya welcomes Cameron visit to Jaffna
SL 'must allow a UN investigation' - Telegraph editorial
Disappearances, rape and torture remain prevalent in the North-East
Sri Lanka expels Australian IFJ activists
It's all about 'image'...
British Tamils demand boycott of CHOGM
Amnesty International protests against CHOGM in Sri Lanka
Indian PM 'aware' of CHOGM opposition
Sri Lanka deports international journalists
Sri Lankan military commends parents of 'War Heroes'
Gotabhaya welcomes Cameron visit to Jaffna
SL 'must allow a UN investigation' - Telegraph editorial
Disappearances, rape and torture remain prevalent in the North-East
Sri Lanka expels Australian IFJ activists
It's all about 'image'...