Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been officially named as a suspect in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 individuals in Colombo and its suburbs, in incidents believed to have been carried out for ransom. According to Sri Lankan media reports, court officials have issued notice requiring Wijegunaratne to appear before the Colombo Magistrate…

Alvai temple massacre by SL army remembered 32 years on

The massacre of 63 people at the Alvai Muththumari Amman temple by the Sri Lankan army in 1987 was remembered on Wednesday, 32 years on. 

Sri Lanka military erects Sinhala welcome arch in Vavuniya

Vavuniya residents have been angered by the Sri Lankan army’s construction of a welcome arch to the district with images of soldiers and slogans exclusively in Sinhala.

The military arch was erected a few yards in front of an old traditional arch which marked entry into the Vavuniya district from the south.

Residents of Vavuniya expressed anger at the region’s Tamil politicians saying they were blindly allowing Sinhalisation to take place, especially through the military forces and government agencies.

Pre-school holds vigil for Zion church victims

The victims of the Easter Sunday bombings at the Zion church in Batticaloa were remembered last week by a local pre-school. 

Sri Lankan president denies knowing of bombings in advance

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena was forced to deny that he knew of the Easter Sunday bombings beforehand amid increasing scrutiny over why the country failed to prevent the attacks despite repeated warnings from other states. 

In a statement, the president's media division, said that the Defence Secretary nor the Inspector General of Police had informed him of warnings issued by India ahead of the attack. 

Over 250 people were killed when Islamist extremist suicide bombers supportive of Islamic State detonated devices at luxury hotels and churches on Easter Sunday. 

Reflections from Mullivaikkal: Memories live on

As part of a series marking the atrocities of Mullivaikkal, we invited activists, journalists, and writers from around the world to share their experiences and reflections a decade on.

Tamil politicians object to Sinhalese housing scheme in Kokkilai

Tamil politicians have objected to the approval of a housing scheme for Sinhalese settlers in Mullaitivu on what several have said is Tamil-owned land. The original owners of lands around the Kokkilai Lagoon were evicted by the Sri Lankan army and most are too scared to come forward due to the hostilities in the area between Sinhalese and local Tamils, one politician said.

2009 Vanni based Air Commodore appointed as new Commander

Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena today appointed the Air Commodore responsible for operations in Kilinocchi during the end of the armed conflict in 2009 as the country's new Air Force Commander. 

Released BBS leader pledges to 'expose Islamist militancy'

The leader of the extremist Buddhist monk group Bodu Bala Sena, who was recently released from prison following a presidential pardon pledged to expose Islamist militancy in his first press conference since being freed. 

Finance Ministry's Media Director arrested over ammunition

The media director of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Ali Hassan, was arrested today accused of being in possession of ammunition. 

Sri Lankan police reported 93 rounds of 12-bore gun ammunition were found in his possesion. 

Hassan was arrested at his home in Malwana, and the area was searched by the military and police. 

The arrest of a government official follows that of a Muslim Hansard officer last week, who was accused of helping one of the suicide bombers responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. 

Archaeology Dept dumping temple ruins in well say Trinco residents

Sri Lanka's Department of Archaeology is dumping the ruins of an ancient Pillaiyar temple situated near the seven hot springs in Kanniya into a well, and building a Buddha statue in its place, residents in Trincomalee told the Tamil Guardian.