Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Bharatanatyam world record in Colombo sparks row over recognition and costs
A Guinness World Record set by nearly 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers at Galle Face in Colombo has sparked controversy, after activists questioned why the official recognition was awarded to organisers and an overseas instructor rather than the thousands of performers who paid to take part. The SANGAMAM-2026 event, held on 14 June, saw 4,988 dancers successfully set a new Guinness World Record for…

China's Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka for bilateral cooperation talks

Jul 6, 2016
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to make an official visit to Sri Lanka upon the invitation of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minster Magnala Samaraweera.

Mr Yi will meet with Sri Lanka’s president, prime minister and hold talks with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

Minister says VAT will be revised, amidst protests

Jul 6, 2016

The recently increased Value Added Tax will only be revised and not repealed, according to Deputy Minister Ajith Perera.

The deputy minister said it was impractical to abolish the 4% increase in the tax rate, despite protests.

Cabinet approves amendment to permit witness testimonies from abroad

Jul 6, 2016
The Sri Lankan cabinet approved an amendment to the Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act no. 04 of 2015 in order to allow witnesses to testify from abroad, however made clear that such testimony “may be given at a Sri Lankan Diplomatic Mission in the respective country and provisions should be enacted to protect the freedom of witnesses and prevent any influence”.

2 former LTTE members detained by Sri Lanka's TID

Jul 5, 2016
Officers from Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) detained two former LTTE cadres on Tuesday evening in Mullaitivu.

The pair, Keetheeswaran originally from Trincomalee and Savithiri originally from Vaddkachchi, were a married couple who had been living in Sivanagar in Mullaitivu.

The reason for the arrest has not been officially stated, however locals said Mr Ketheeswaran was arrested due to a video clip on his mobile telephone.

Proposed accountability mechanism ready for discussion by early 2017 - Mangala

Jul 5, 2016
Sri Lanka's foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera said on Wednesday that the architecture for the mechanism for accountability would be ready by early next year for discussion.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Samaraweera also sought to play down differences of opinion on foreign involvement in the mechanism, stating that a solution would be found in between the two positions.

"The best way to prove all these allegations wrong is to have a credible mechanism to look into these allegations and then we can respond once we have gone into it thoroughly," he reiterated.



Paranagama says cluster bombs legal in 2009

Jul 5, 2016
The chairman of Sri Lanka's presidential commission, Maxwell Paranagama on Wednesday rejected the UN High Commissioner's call for a fresh inquiry to look at the use of clusters bombs in 2009, stating that the convention against cluster munitions only came into force in August 2010.

Highlighting the second mandate of his commission Mr Paranagama said that it had already dealt with the allegations of cluster munitions.

"Having examined all available evidence, it had concluded that such ammunition hadn’t been used by the military during the offensive," he told the Island.

"As the Cluster Munitions Convention (CMC) had come into operation on August 1, 2010, the UNHRC couldn’t find fault with the then administration even if such ammunition had been used. Had a need arisen for using cluster ammunition, the Sri Lankan military could have done so without violating international laws," he added. 

Sri Lankan police officers attack Jaffna businessman

Jul 4, 2016

Sri Lankan police officers attacked a businessman in Jaffna on Friday.

Two Sinhalese police constables attached to the Jaffna Police Station entered a tea shop behind Jaffna bus station.

The officers, reported as being inebriated, created a ruckus after being refused discounted cigarettes and assaulted the shopkeeper with their helmets.

The victim lodged a complaint with Jaffna Police Station and was informed that departmental action would be initiated against the two constables.

Jaffna University students mark Black Tigers day

Jul 4, 2016

Students at the University of Jaffna marked Black Tigers Day or 'Karumpuli Naal' on July 5th.

The day marks the sacrifices of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's elite men and women. See more here. 

BTF, GTF welcome Zeid's oral statement

Jul 4, 2016
The British Tamils Forum and the Global Tamil Forum on Monday welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' oral update of Sri Lanka's progress on implementing the resolution passed last year. 

"The oral update shows the High Commissioner’s insight into the Sri Lankan state’s tokenism’s and lack of progress in delivering justice to the Tamil victims of genocide.   The statement stresses the need for institutionalised change beyond token gestures designed to fool the international community," the BTF said in a statement on Monday.

See here for full statement.

"We commend the High Commissioner and his office for their forthright assessment and concur with their observation that the promise of governance reform and transitional justice are yet to be fully delivered, and risks stalling or dissipating," the GTF warned.

Ranil warns of 'difficult decisions' to avoid economic breakdown

Jul 4, 2016
The Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday warned that "difficult decisions" would have to be taken in order to prevent the "complete breakdown of the economy", the Colombo Page reported citing a post on Mr Wickremesinghe's Facebook page in Sinhalese.

Commenting on a meeting with MPs, ministers and electoral organisers, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "during this meeting, we analyzed the future of Sri Lanka's economy, and the reasons behind the nation's dire economic situation."

"It was explained that going forward, difficult decisions would have to be made in order to avert a complete breakdown of the economy."

Minister says VAT will be revised, amidst protests
Cabinet approves amendment to permit witness testimonies from abroad
2 former LTTE members detained by Sri Lanka's TID
Proposed accountability mechanism ready for discussion by early 2017 - Mangala
Paranagama says cluster bombs legal in 2009
Sri Lankan police officers attack Jaffna businessman
Jaffna University students mark Black Tigers day
BTF, GTF welcome Zeid's oral statement
Ranil warns of 'difficult decisions' to avoid economic breakdown
Tamil families demonstrate by army camp demanding return of their lands
Minister says VAT will be revised, amidst protests
Cabinet approves amendment to permit witness testimonies from abroad
2 former LTTE members detained by Sri Lanka's TID
Proposed accountability mechanism ready for discussion by early 2017 - Mangala
Paranagama says cluster bombs legal in 2009
Sri Lankan police officers attack Jaffna businessman
Jaffna University students mark Black Tigers day
BTF, GTF welcome Zeid's oral statement
Ranil warns of 'difficult decisions' to avoid economic breakdown
Tamil families demonstrate by army camp demanding return of their lands