Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Sri Lanka earlier this month, New Delhi’s media was already hailing the visit as a diplomatic triumph. A raft of development projects had been announced and a significant new defence pact between the two governments signed. Images broadcast showed Modi beside a smiling Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, arms raised aloft in symbolic…

Young Tamil artists remember Black July with exhibition at City Uni

Young Tamil artists from across Europe last month remembered the 1983 pogrom against the Tamils, Black July with an exhibition at the City University in London. 

The exhibition, which was organised by the Tamil Youth Organisation UK, featured artists from the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark. 

 

US military and Sri Lankan navy collaborate on environmental project

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) worked alongside the Sri Lankan navy on an environmental project in the south this week, reports official military media.

PHU files petition against 20th Amendment at Sri Lanka's Supreme Court

The PHU leader, Udaya Gammanpila filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Friday against the proposed 20th Amendment to the constitution. 

Mr Gammanpila said the Amendment should only be passed following a public referendum.

New navy commander seeks blessings from Buddhist monks

Sri Lanka's new navy commander, visited Kandy on Friday to pay homage to Buddhism's Sacred Tooth Relic and seek the blessings of senior Buddhist clergy from the Mahanayakes of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. 

Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah was the senior most naval officer in active combat operations at sea during Sri Lanka’s war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Behind the protest - Families of the disappeared: Abirami

For months relatives of the forcibly disappeared have been protesting on the streets across the North-East, demanding to know the whereabouts of their loved ones. Despite years, sometimes decades, of various government mechanisms and pledges, their search for answers continues.

In this series of interviews conducted since May 2017, Tamil Guardian goes behind the protest to the individual stories that make up this unyielding movement of Tamil families of the disappeared.

National Polls Observation Centre warns 20A could lead to 'bloodbath' in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's National Polls Observation Centre criticised the government's proposed 20th Amendment to the constitution, stating that it could lead to "a pool of blood". 

"The 20th Amendment to the Constitution, that seeks to give parliament the powers of Provincial Councils, when they are dissolved and to decide on the date of the dissolution of Provincial Councils, is undemocratic," National Coordinator of NPOC Rasanga Harischandra was quoted by Ceylon Today as saying. 

"When such undemocratic Bills have been passed, the country has ended up in a pool of blood," he added. 

Thalatha Atukorale appointed as Sri Lanka's justice minister

The UNP MP Thalatha Atukorale has been appointed as Sri Lanka's new justice minister, after Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was forced to resign over allegations of corruption. 

His portfolio has been divided between Ms Atukorale and Gamini Jayawickrama who has been appointed the new minister of Buddha Sasana. 

Ms Atukorale came into politics in 2004, following the death of her brother, the UNP MP and assistant party leader.

Sri Lankan court acquits State Minister accused of fraud

Sri Lanka's State Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Palitha Range Bandara was acquitted on Friday by Colombo's High Court. 

Mr Bandara had been charged with fraud along side a businessman Nalinda Jagath Kumara Liyanage who were accused of 'aiding and abetting to present a vehicle registration permit for an illegally assembled vehicle', Colombo Page reported. 

Two Sri Lankan soldiers attacked in Kilinochchi, 6 suspects arrested

Six people have been arrested today after two Sri Lankan soldiers were attacked in Kilinochchi on Thursday night.  

The soldiers from the Murugandi Army base were reportedly attacked by a group of youths near the Oottrupulam market by a sharp object.

Local sources said the soldiers were Tamil and were on leave in their hometown of Oottrupulam.

NPC protests for release of Tamil political prisoners

Members of the Northern Provincial Council held an awareness protest at the Council's sitting today, calling for the release of Tamil political prisoners.