Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamil residents intervene to block Sri Lankan military land grab in Maruthankerni
Tamil residents, landowners and activists in Maruthankerni have halted a land survey linked to an attempted acquisition reportedly for Sri Lankan military purposes in Vadamaradchi East. The move, which took place in the Maruthankerni area of the Jaffna district, drew strong opposition from the landowner and local residents, who warned that handing land to the Sri Lankan military could lead to…

"A Tigress and her tormentors"

Oct 6, 2011

 

Extracts from report in The Economist:

Jaffna petitions pile up against army and police

Oct 6, 2011
The Supreme Court has received a further set of 30 petitions from residents in Jaffna in addition to the 22 already filed, regarding the military’s assault on civilians in the aftermath of ‘grease devil’ attacks in the North-East.

See report from the Daily Mirror here.

In August, the security forces arrested and tortured hundreds of youth in Jaffna, following a protest against the military harbouring ‘grease devils’ – night prowlers who attack women.

The petitioners have also stated that after being arrested they were forced to sign documents in Sinhala, a language that they could not understand.

All the petitions have been fixed for support on the 27th of October.

See our earlier post: ‘To protect and serve... Sinhalese' (Oct 2011)

Liam Fox had been warned by MOD

Oct 6, 2011

‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ to be screened at EU

Oct 5, 2011

Amnesty International, International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch, along with five MEP’s have organised the screening of Channel 4’s documentary “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” at the EU Parliament next Wednesday (12.10.11).

A letter was sent out by the organisations inviting delegates to the screening.

The letter further states:

Veritable questions

Oct 5, 2011

Sri Lanka to track foreigners’ movements

Oct 5, 2011

Sri Lanka is developing a system to track and monitor foreign nationals as they enter and travel around the country, after a new online travel approval system is fully operational, LBO reports.

Sri Lanka is starting at electronic travel authorization program from January 01, and is to scrap free visa-on-arrival to 78 countries.

Britain reiterates call for progress by end of the year

Oct 5, 2011
The House of Lords on Wednesday, saw Britain reaffirm its commitment for a thorough investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka, as Lords debated the holding of the 2013 CHOGM in Sri Lanka.

During question time Lord Kennedy of Southwark submitted a question to the House and said the British Government should state "it would be wrong for Sri Lanka to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2013".

Lord Wallace of Saltaire responded,

The usual theatrics: more committees from Sri Lanka

Oct 5, 2011

In an effort to relieve some of the international pressure being exerted upon Sri Lanka regarding allegations of war crimes, the country's human rights envoy, Mahinda Samarasinghe, proclaimed a five-year action plan for human rights protection.

The plan is to be presented at the UN Human Rights Council session in March next year.

Scottish training for Sri Lankan Police

Oct 4, 2011
The Scottish Police College is in the process of training 98 Assistant Superintendants of the Sri Lankan police force in community policing.
British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka John Rankin handed out certificates to the first batch of 26 officers who completed the course.
Inspecter General Ilangakoon thanked the British High Commissioner and the Scottish trainers for providing this ‘important service to the public.’

Northern Province assistance faces over $200 million shortfall - UN

Oct 4, 2011
The Joint Plan of Assistance, a program which includes the Sri Lankan Government and the UN is facing a deficit of over $200 million according to a UN report.

Of the $289 million needed, only $76.5 million had been raised so far, with further indications from UN officials that the full amount would not be met by the end of this year.

See report from IRIN here.

Speaking to IRIN, a UN World Food Programme (WFP) official said,
Jaffna petitions pile up against army and police
Liam Fox had been warned by MOD
‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ to be screened at EU
Veritable questions
Sri Lanka to track foreigners’ movements
Britain reiterates call for progress by end of the year
The usual theatrics: more committees from Sri Lanka
Scottish training for Sri Lankan Police
Northern Province assistance faces over $200 million shortfall - UN
Sri Lanka: calling all hangmen
Jaffna petitions pile up against army and police
Liam Fox had been warned by MOD
‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ to be screened at EU
Veritable questions
Sri Lanka to track foreigners’ movements
Britain reiterates call for progress by end of the year
The usual theatrics: more committees from Sri Lanka
Scottish training for Sri Lankan Police
Northern Province assistance faces over $200 million shortfall - UN
Sri Lanka: calling all hangmen