Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the country's state of public emergency, with all seven votes against the measure cast by Tamil Members of Parliament. The motion was passed by 135 votes in favour and seven against, a majority of 128. The seven MPs who opposed the extension were Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Sivagnanam Shritharan, K. Kodeeswaran, G. Srineshan, T.…

Over 11K Sri Lankan army absentees register during amnesty

Over 11,000 Sri Lankan soldiers who were considered Absent Without Leave (AWOL) reported themselved to their regiments during a month long army amnesty. 

Under the amnesty soldiers will be given legal discharge from the army. See more here

Despite over 8 years passing since the end of the armed conflict, Sri Lanka continues to spend a significant amount of its budget on defence. 

Sri Lankan party leaders to discuss postponement of LG election

Sri Lanka's party leaders are to meet tomorrow to discuss the postponement of the local government elections after the Court of Appeal order halted the implementation of the gazette notification on delimitation until next month.  

The meeting comes as politicians from all main parties, including the UNP, SLFP and JVP condemn the postponement of the polls as unnecessary. 

See more here.

Modi meets with Ranil

The Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi on Thursday during his visit to New Delhi to attend the Fifth Global Conference on Cyber Space. 

"Neighbourhood first. PM @narendramodi received Sri Lankan PM @RW_UNP at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, both countries share strong and close relations based on mutual trust and respect," India's Ministry of External Affairs tweeted. 

Details of the discussions remain unknown. However, the ongoing issue of the arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan navy personnel are expected to feature. 

White van abduction was just plain-clothes officers making arrest Jaffna police claim

A 'white van style' abduction of a Tamil youth which sparked fears in Jaffna was an arrest made by plain-clothes officers, Sri Lankan police have said.

A Tamil youth waiting at Jaffna bus stand was bundled into a white van on Tuesday evening. The incident which took place at rush-hour following the end of the working day had sparked fears in Jaffna, exacerbated by reports of spates of arrests in the run-up to Maaveerar Naal.

As news of the abduction spread, Koppay police announced on Wednesday morning that the alleged abduction was a case of plain-clothes officers making an arrest.

Tamil Nadu university signs MoU with Eastern Uni

The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Eastern University in view of encouraging the exchange of students and scholars. 

The professor of Tamil at MSU, G Stephen will be appointed 'subject expert' for two new courses at Eastern University on visual anthropology and Sri Lankan Tamil dances, The Hindu reported. 

Twenty students and two members of staff from the Swami Vibulanandar Aesthetic Studies of Eastern University will travel to the World Tamil Literature Demography conference in Tamil Nadu next year, the paper added. 

More Thuyilum Illams cleared in East ahead of Maaveerar Naal

Further resting homes of fallen LTTE cadres (Thuyilum Illam) were cleared this week ahead of Tamil National Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) on November 27. 

Former LTTE members, families of the Maaveerar and local residents fathered to clear the Sampur Aalankulam Thuyilum in Trincomalee as well as the Maavadimunmaari Thuyilum Illam in Batticaloa. 

Sri Lankan police conduct vehicle checks in Maankulam ahead of Maaveerar Naal

Sri Lankan police officers on Sunday commenced spot checks of vehicles travelling on the A9 in Maankulam, one week ahead of Tamil National Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal). 

Vehicles were searched and occupants questioned. 

Remember the Maaveerar by assisting their families says Shivajilingam

The member of the Northern Provincial Council, M K Shivajilingam on Monday called on Tamils to remember the sacrifice of Tamils who fought in the struggle and commemorate Tamil National Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) by providing assistance to their families. 

"Maaverar Vaaram (Tamil National Remembrance Week) has begun today," Mr Shivajilingam said. 
 
“In this situation, everyone should come forward to provide livelihood assistance to the families of Maaveerar who are living in the midst of great misery and poverty."

Restoration continues at Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam

Kilinochchi residents have continued to clear up the LTTE cemetery at Kanagapuram, recovering more headstones and monuments.

Parents of Maaveerar honoured in Kilinochchi

Parents of fallen LTTE cadres were honoured in Kilinochchi on Tuesday.