Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The LGBTQIA+ community in Jaffna held their fifth annual Pride Walk, under the theme  “We Exist For Each Other".  The walk, organised by the Jaffna Transgender Network, began outside the iconic Jaffna Public Library and proceeded along Hospital Road and Pannai Road before ending at Jaffna Fort.  Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, human rights activists, civil society…

Sri Lankan navy takes part in German golf tournament despite human rights concerns

Members of the Sri Lankan navy are currently in Germany, as they participate in the 12th World Military Golf Championship, despite concerns of human rights abuses committed by Sri Lankan troops.

Sri Lankan military salutes IPKF in Jaffna

The Sri Lankan military held a memorial service for the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), a unit accused of committing widespread human rught abuses against Tamils, at a ceremony in Jaffna earlier this month to coincide with India’s Independence Day.

International Day of Disappeared marked by Tamils in London

Hundreds of Tamils gathered in London last week to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances and to call for justice and accountability for the thousands of Tamils who have been forcibly disappeared in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka signs deal with China to train athletes

China is to train Sri Lankan athletes for international games after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries' Olympic committees at the sidelines of the 18th Asian Games this week. 

“China has agreed to help train our athletes in selected sports, not only those which are part of the Summer Olympics, but also in sports which are in the Winter Games,” the president of Sri Lanka's National Olympic Committee, Suresh Subramaniam was quoted by the Sunday Observer as saying. “This is an unprecedented step of support from China. They will not only train our athletes but also coach our coaches.

"It is a broad and open-ended agreement and we can rely on their help for anything. We have their full backing,” he added.

Sinhala settlements in North not happening now claims SL minister

A government minister on Friday denied that state sponsored settlement of Sinhala people into the Tamil areas was taking place under the current administration, claiming instead that it only took place under the previous regime with the former defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. 

"It was during former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s time that Sinhala settlements had been created in the North," Sri Lanka's health minister, Rajitha Senaratne was quoted by The Island as saying. 

"No such thing is happening now," he said. 

New constitution a fundamental necessity - TNA

A new Sri Lankan constitution is a "fundamental necessity" the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran said whilst speaking at the 7th meeting on constitutional reform, held in in Galle this week. 

"All the problems of the Tamil people won't be solved by a new constitution, but a new constitution is fundamental," he said. "Without this, no issue can be addressed."

Vadamarachchi fishermen warned against protesting with intel threats

Sri Lankan intelligence officials threatened Tamil fishermen from Vadamarachchi East, forcing them to drop plans to protest during the visit of the Sri Lankan president to Myliddy last month.

Union leader Nagarasa Varnakulasingam said he had received threats from intelligence personnel from Colombo as well as from Kankesanthurai.

The local fishermen had planned to protest on August 22nd to raise awareness of the ongoing disputes caused by the illegal activities and encroachment of fishermen from other districts.

Man arrested over Kilinochchi murder

A 35-year-old man has been arrested on Friday in connection to the murder of a pregnant Tamil woman in Kilinochchi this week. 

The man, identified as K Krishnakeethan from Vinanayagapuram, Kilinochchi, is understood to be working for a private security company and a father of two children.

He is reported to have confessed to the killing. 

Local resident protested this week calling for the perpetrator to be brought to justice. 

The 32-year-old victim, a Nithiyakala Karuppaiah was found dead inside the Iranaimadu irrigation canal by locals on Wednesday. 

Wildlife officials to be given AK 47 rifles

Sri Lanka's Cabinet has decided to arm wildlife officials with AK 47 rifles citing the conflicts between elephants and civilians, the Sunday Times reports. 

The weapons will replace the Chinese-made T-56 rifles previously held.

The recommendation was made by the former army commander, and current minister for sustainable development, wildlife and regional development, Sarath Fonseka. 

Read more here

Two acres released in Achchuveli

Two acres of land in Achchuveli, belonging to six families, was released on Friday after 23 years of occupation by the Sri Lankan army.

The land was seized by the army in 1995 when locals became displaced.

The landowners have campaigned to have their properties returned for resettlement since 2014.

While two acres were released on Friday, access roads to some of these properties still remain under army control.