Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing". Speaking at a media briefing held at the Mannar Urban Council on Friday, Vasanthan criticised the decision to arrest the…

Blood donation remembers 9th day of Thileepan's hunger strike

A blood donation drive was organised in Jaffna on Sunday to remember the 9th day of Lt Col Thileepan's fast unto death in 1987. 

The event, organised by the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) saw a residents, party supporters and members come forward to give blood in memory of the sacrifice made by Thileepan. 

Kilinochchi mother missing

A 46-year-old mother of five children has been reported missing. 

Muniamma Nagarasa, known as Manjula, from Kilinochchi was reported missing by her husband on Saturday. 

He filed a missing persons report at the police station, stating that she had left home on September 13 to go to the hospital but failed to return. 

Nothing has been resolved under coalition government - TNA

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), R Sampanthan told the outgoing Japanese ambassador, Kenichi Suganuma that the current government had failed to take action on key points. 

"Everything that should have been resolved has not been resolved," Sampanthan said, meeting with Suganuma on Friday in Colombo. 

"Without a just solution [to the ethnic issue] through a new constitution, Sri Lanka cannot develop further," he added, highlighting that the economic hardship of ordinary people was increasing. 

TNPF Chavakachcheri office vandalised

The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) office in in Meesalai West, Chavakachcheri was vandalised on Wednesday by unknown persons. 

The office's name board was ripped apart and slashed. 

No arrests have been made in relation to the incident. 

Bail for army official who flashed at Mullaitivu schoolgirls

A Sri Lankan army official, who was caught along side his colleague flashing their genitals at two Tamil schoolgirls in Mullaitivu, was granted bail on Thursday. 

The fellow army official was remanded in custody until October 2. 

The pair, both from 59th Division were brought before Mullaitivu court on Thursday. 

They had been apprehended by locals who had witnessed the incident at the Karaichchi residential area of Mullaitivu. 

Youth arrested in Vavuniya

A youth was arrested in Vavuniya Thursday evening, accused of being in possession of cannabis from Kerala. 

The youth was travelling on a bus from Jaffna to Colombo when he was arrested after the bus was stopped by police in Nochchimoddai, Vavuniya 

Police officers said they had received a tip off regarding the transporting of drugs. 

17 Tamils massacred by SL army and Muslim homeguards remembered

The massacre of 17 Tamil civilians by Sri Lankan army officers and Muslim homeguards on September 21, 1990 in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Batticaloa, was remembered yesterday, 28 years on. 

Gathering around the memorial previously erected in memory of those who were massacred, families of those killed and locals laid flowers in remembrance. 

On September 21, 1990 the Muslim homeguards backed by the Sri Lankan army broke into homes in Puthukkudiyiruppu village during the night and rounded up 44 Tamils, including children and women.

Thileepan's 8th day of hunger striking remembered in Batticaloa

The 8th day of Lt Col Thileepan's hunger strike was remembered today in Batticaloa. 

Gathering at the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) office, residents and party supporters laid flowers in tribute to Thileepan's sacrifice. 

Last Saturday, Tamils across the North-East held events marking the 31 years since Thileepan commenced his fast unto death, demanding that the Indian government upheld its promises to the Tamil people. 

Over 100,000 people gathered at the Nallur temple in Jaffna on September 15, 1987 to hear his words as he began the hunger strike. 

Woman found dead at Trinco beach

The body of a Tamil woman was found on Friday at Trincomalee beach. 

The 29-year-old woman, Pothanayagi Nadaraja, was a lecturer at the Trincomalee campus of Eastern University, and is originally from Vavuniya. 

Identifying her body, her husband told journalists that they had got married recently and were expecting their first child. 

"She did not commit suicide," he said. "This is murder." 

Trincomalee police are investigating the incident. 

4 Tamil political prisoners admitted to hospital after ongoing hunger strike

Four Tamil political prisoners who had been hunger striking in protest at their indefinite imprisonment, were admitted to hospital today. 

Sivasubramaniam Thillairaj and Thangavel Nimalan have been admitted to Anuradhapuram prison hospital, whilst Sooriyakanthi Jeyachandran and Rasapallavan T Rupan were admitted to Anuradhapuram teaching hospital. 

Eight Tamil political prisoners at Anuradhapura prison, M Sulaksan, E Thiruvarul, S Jeyachandran, R Rupan, S Thillairaj, E Jegan, S Sivaseelan and T Nirmalan, launched a hunger strike this month demanding they be released following a quick rehabilitation.