Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Indian detainee among inmates killed in Negombo prison bloodshed
Prison officers responding to the deadly unrest at Negombo Prison were attacked by inmates who allegedly dropped large stones onto their heads, according to Sri Lankan prison authorities, as investigations continue into one of the country's deadliest prison incidents in recent years/ The death toll from the unrest has risen to 29, including eight prison officers and 21 inmates, as Sri Lankan…

ICP questions UN on impunity for SL peacekeepers

Sep 17, 2013
Questioning the UN's claim of 'zero tolerance' for sexual abuse, the Inner City Press (ICP), asked the UN whether it was denying the allegation of rape against Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti.

Sri Lanka brought up again in UNHRC general debate

Sep 16, 2013

Rajapaksa: 'army will never be withdrawn completely' from North

Sep 16, 2013
In an interview with the Hindustan Times, the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa answered a wide range of questions concerning the end of the armed conflict and the time that has passed since then. See here for full interview, extracts reproduced below.

Asked about militarisation of the North-East and why a phased withdrawal was not possible, Rajapaksa commented:

SL collecting data for citizen identity cards

Sep 15, 2013

Sri Lanka’s Department of Registration of Persons will commence issuing new electronic National Identity Cards to all ‘citizens’ from November, reported Colombo Page.

Tamil TNA campaigner killed in Mullaitivu

Sep 15, 2013

A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) campaigner, Rasiah Kavithan, was killed by a group of supporters of the ruling party UPFA in Mullaitivu today, reports TamilNet. 

The Sri Lankan police force in the area handed over the dead body to the mortuary in Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital.

Sri Lankan Cricket preparations

Sep 15, 2013
Sri Lankan cricket players take part in a ceremony in preparation of the Champions League Twenty20, in Colombo.

SL court brings criminal charges against impeached chief justice

Sep 15, 2013
A Sri Lankan court brought criminal charges of corruption against the former chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake, who was impeached earlier this year, in a move that was condemned internationally.

Speaking to AFP, the head of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, Upul Jayasuriya, said:
"This is a frivolous allegation. She is accused of not declaring bank accounts where she had a zero balance."

Rajapapksa: 'easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise'

Sep 14, 2013
In an interview to China's state TV, President Mahinda Rajapaksa scorned western criticism of his government, remarking "it's easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise".

He said:
"The development of a country requires a stable government. A stable government is a powerful support to a country. A powerful government with full support by the people is the most important factor for us to push forward,"

Tamils mark the passing of Sunila Abeysekara, aged 61

Sep 14, 2013
Sunila Abeysekara, an internationally respected Sri Lankan human rights activist died on Monday aged 61 from cancer.



An outspoken figure amongst her colleagues in Sri Lanka, she was deeply respected by a number of international figures and Tamils for fearlessly raising the issue of human rights abuses committed against Tamils at the end of the armed conflict.

She eventually fled to live in exile in the Netherlands, after the Sri Lankan state owned media site called her a traitor for her endorsement of the 2012 UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.

She was also an ardent advocate for women's rights in South Asia as well as that of sex workers and homosexuals and transgender people.

In the days following her death on September 9th, a number of Tamil activists and organisations paid tribute to her work.

Mahinda campaigns in the Northern Province

Sep 14, 2013

Addressing a public rally in Mullaitivu, Mahinda Rajapaksa outlined that the government had taken expeditious measures to develop the war-battered Northern Province over the last 4 years.

Sri Lanka brought up again in UNHRC general debate
Rajapaksa: 'army will never be withdrawn completely' from North
SL collecting data for citizen identity cards
Tamil TNA campaigner killed in Mullaitivu
Sri Lankan Cricket preparations
SL court brings criminal charges against impeached chief justice
Rajapapksa: 'easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise'
Tamils mark the passing of Sunila Abeysekara, aged 61
Mahinda campaigns in the Northern Province
Commonwealth covers up damning Sri Lanka report
Sri Lanka brought up again in UNHRC general debate
Rajapaksa: 'army will never be withdrawn completely' from North
SL collecting data for citizen identity cards
Tamil TNA campaigner killed in Mullaitivu
Sri Lankan Cricket preparations
SL court brings criminal charges against impeached chief justice
Rajapapksa: 'easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise'
Tamils mark the passing of Sunila Abeysekara, aged 61
Mahinda campaigns in the Northern Province
Commonwealth covers up damning Sri Lanka report