Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Environmentalists and civil society activists protested at Galle Face in Colombo on 17 June against proposed heavy mineral sand mining along the eastern coastline from Oluvil to Pothuvil, warning that the project threatens the land, fisheries and livelihoods of Tamil and Muslim communities across the Eastern Province. According to the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL), exploration…

Sri Lanka briefs German trade delegation on progress in reconciliation and democracy

Germany’s trade and business delegation to Sri Lanka, headed by the Parliamentary State Secretary or Economic Affairs and Energy Uwe Beckmeyer met with Sri Lanka’s president on Monday, reports adaderena.lk.

The visit comes after Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena visited Berlin last month.

During the meeting Mr Sirisena told the German delegation that Sri Lanka was progressing on strengthening democracy and reconciliation through new commissions such as the human rights, bribery and corruption commissions.

Sri Lanka air force conducts training exercise over Jaffna

Sri Lanka’s Air Force (SLAF) conducted training exercises move Valvettithurai in Jaffna on Friday.

A sea rescue exercise was undertaken on the beach of Valvettithurai, with helicopters flying over the Jaffna peninsula.

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Sri Lanka pays compensation to Sri Lankan peacekeeping force rape victim

Sri Lanka has arranged an ex-gratia payment to a victim and child born as a result of rape by a member of Sri Lanka’s peace keeping force reports Colombo Page.

Sri Lanka’s peacekeeping forces abroad were found guilty of rape and sexual abuse by UN investigations into involvement in Haiti. Almost 20% of Sri Lanka’s peacekeeping forces in Haiti were sent back in 2007 after reports emerged.

Mullivaikkal remembrance week marked in Neduntivu and Point Pedro


Events were held in Neduntivu and Point Pedro on Sunday to remember the victims of Tamil genocide as part of the Mullivaikkal remembrance week in the North-East.

Recalling the slaughter of 48 Tamil civilians by the Sri Lankan navy on board the 'Kumithini' ferry from Delft to Nainativu on May 15th, 1985.

The slaughter occurred at shortly after the progrom of Black July 1983 when the currently ruling UNP's J R Jayawardene was in power.

Vaddukoddai resolution's passing commemorated in Jaffna 40 years on



The passing of the Vaddukoddai resolution on May 14th, 1976 was commemorated in Jaffna on Saturday, 40 years on.



Lighting a flame of remembrance for all those who died in the Tamil genocide, local politicians and council members, including the Northern Provincial Councillors, M K Shivajilingham and Ananthy Sasitharan attended the event.

The Vaddukoddai resolution, spearheaded by SJV Chelvanayakam, remains a cornerstone of the Tamil movement for self-determination in Sri Lanka, concluding that an independent state of Tamil Eelam was needed to safeguard the very existence of the Tamil nation in Sri Lanka.

Senior US military commander visits Sri Lanka

The Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for US Pacific Command concluded a three day visit to Sri Lanka this week.

The United States’ Major General Steven R Rudder met with Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff and visited the Western Area Naval Command.

During his visit he discussed “areas for future cooperation in the critical issues of maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and United Nations Peace Keeping Operations,”  according to a US Embassy press release.

Tamil genocide remembered at Navali church



The bombing of displaced Tamils inside Navaly's St Peter's Church on July 9th, 1995 was marked on Saturday as part of Mullivaikkal Remembrance week, which remembers the genocide of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka over several decades.

At least 120 Tamil civilians were massacred in the Navali church attack.



The Northern Provincial Councillor, M K Shivajilingham lit a flame of remembrance at the church.



Launching the remembrance week on Thursday, Mr Shivajilingham began proceedings in Chemmani, where the mass graves of Tamils are situated.

Danish parliament hosts conference on accountability for Sri Lanka's mass atrocities

A conference on international humanitarian and human rights law violations in Sri Lanka was held in the Danish Parliament this week, with speakers from around the world discussing mass atrocities committed on the island and the current human rights situation.

Mullivaikkal Remembrance Week organisers followed by Sri Lankan military intelligence

The organisers of Mullivaikkal Remembrance Week have been followed and intimidated by Sri Lankan military intelligence, stated Northern Provincial Council member M K Shivajilingam.

Mr Shivajilingam said that since he and other Tamil politicians lit a flame to launch commemoration the 7th anniversary of the massacre of Tamils at the end of the armed conflict in May 2009, Sri Lankan military personnel have been following him and other organisers.

They report being followed and filmed by military intelligence personnel.

Modi raises fishermen issue with Sirisena

The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday raised the ongoing arrests of fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy with the country's president, Maithripala Sirisena, who is currently in New Delhi for talks.

Mr Modi stressed the need "to develop a mechanism and find a permanent solution to the issue of fishermen straying into each other waters."

Despite a number of previous discussions between figures from both countries the arrests and impounding of fishing boats have continued.

The idea of establishing a "common economic zone" was also reportedly discussed.