Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

Sinhalese mother of three fallen LTTE fighters calls to be allowed to honour their sacrifice

Seelavati Nadarasa, a Sinhalese mother of three fallen LTTE fighters, called to be able to remember their sacrifices in peace ahead of Maaveerar Naal – or Heroes Day – next month.

“Even if I am a Sinhalese woman, I will die in this land,” Nadarasa told reporters at the Jaffna Press Club. "Until that day comes, let us light lamps and honour our children in peace.”

Tamil families of the disappeared tell OMP that no constructive action has been taken to investigate disappearances

Tamil families of the disappeared in Mannar told the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) that there has not been any constructive action taken by the office in investigating the disappearances of their relatives. 

Sri Lanka's OMP says it has found 16 people alive - but refuses to explain

Sri Lanka’s Office on Missing Persons (OMP) claims it has managed to locate 16 forcibly disappeared individuals who were reported missing since 2000, out of approximately 6,000 inquiries they have investigated, but refused to divulge any further information.

Tamil protestors in Mannar earlier this year.

US Ambassador confirms citizens should avoid travel to Arugam Bay over terror threat

Julie Chung, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, clarified that the US Embassy did not issue a travel ban on Sri Lanka but warned its personnel and citizens to avoid travelling to Arugam Bay after receiving information of a potential attack on tourist hotspots in the area. 

Sri Lankan army denies it is 'downsizing'

Commander Security Forces (West) studying the proposed layout of a new location for the infantry brigade - Sri Lanka Army

The Sri Lankan Army has expressed concern about misinformation circulating on social media regarding the downsizing of the military, stating that it actually plans to "scale" as part of its long-term strategy.

Suitcase with cash and $1000 million in a Dubai bank account – Sri Lankan presidents speak candidly about corruption

Sri Lanka’s former presidents made starting revelations about the extent of bribery and corruption on the island in a surprisingly candid conversation earlier this month, detailing how cash was even brought directly to their offices.

Transparency International says AKD government appointments are political

Transparency International Sri Lanka, the local corruption watchdog has said that the majority of appointments made by Anura Kumara Dissanayake including several new governors, ministry secretaries and chairpersons have political affiliations to this party, the National People's Power. 

Sri Lanka elections: Out with the old, in with the new – for Tamils too 

Sri Lanka’s so-called “political earthquake” saw the election of a president from outside the traditional political elites for the first time. Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election, while an obvious upset and challenge to the ruling elite,

Controversy over US$5 billion Indian bridge, after minister says remarks were ‘off the record’

A Sri Lankan minister has said an Indian article regarding a US$5 billion road-and-rail link connecting India to the North-East was “misleading” after claiming “off the record” remarks were used to claim the agreement to construct it was in the “closing stages”.

Sri Lanka’s bid for BRICS membership

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Secretary, Aruni Wijewardane, is set to address the upcoming BRICS Outreach and BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan, Russian Federation, as the country awaits a decision on its request to join BRICS and its new Development Bank.