Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Activists protest mineral sand mining threatening East coast
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…

Tamils in Trincomalee call for return of disappeared persons

Feb 4, 2016

Tamil protestors in Trincomalee marked Sri Lankan Independence Day on Thursday, by staging a demonstration calling for the return of their loved ones who have disappeared.

The protests took place alongside others across the Tamil North-East, where families of the disappeared called for the government to be held accountable for the missing.

Zeid to arrive tomorrow for 4 day visit

Feb 4, 2016
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein will commence his four day visit of the North-East and Sri Lanka tomorrow.

"During his visit, the High Commissioner will discuss a range of current challenges and opportunities for strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka, including reviewing the implementation of the recommendations made in his report to the Human Rights Council, and in its subsequent Resolution 30/1 on “promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka," his office said in a statement on Friday.

Wigneswaran appreciates national anthem being sung in Tamil

Feb 4, 2016
The chief minister of the northern province, C V Wigneswaran welcomed the Sri Lankan government's decision for the national anthem to be sung in Tamil on Thursday at a ceremony marking Independence Day, reported Adaderana.

"Although it is a very small action in the name reconciliation it should be appreciated and that now a background has been created to foster unity and brotherhood between communities," he was quoted by the paper as saying.

Tamil Nadu parties concerned about Sri Lanka's constitution plans

Feb 4, 2016
Tamil Nadu's DMK and MDMK parties expressed concern on Friday, over the Sri Lankan president's statement that the new constitution will not be based on the idea of a 'federation', reported AFP.

"If the doors of Federation are not opened and rights not devolved, how can Tamils live with dignity, relief and equality," DMK leader M Karunanidhi said.

"Sirisena's announcement that there will be no possibility for federation amounts to rubbing salt to injury," he added, demanding that the Sri Lankan military should be withdrawn from the North-East.

World is watching says US on Sri Lanka's independence day

Feb 4, 2016

Sri Lanka is being watched by the world said the US Under Secretary for Management Organisation of American States during an independence day address to Sri Lanka’s High Commission in the US.

Welcoming Sri Lanka’s co-sponsoring of the UNHRC resolution and returning of some lands to Tamil owners, the Patrick F Kennedy said,

“The world is watching Sir Lanka. Your solutions, if successful, can become the blueprint for future nations, who are trying to find their way back to peace, justice and harmony.”

Full statement reproduced below.

India foreign minister meets Sri Lanka prime minister to discuss bilateral issues

Feb 4, 2016
India’s External Affairs Minsiter Sushma Swaraj on Friday met with Sir Lanka’s prim minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss Indian investment and the Trincomalee harbour area, reports firstpost.

Ms Swaraj is set to attend the ninth session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission which looks to address matters pertaining to bilateral cooperation.

Tamils in Amparai mark Independence Day with protest for the disappeared

Feb 4, 2016

Dozens of Tamils in Amparai held a protest demanding information regarding their missing relatives as the Sri Lankan government celebrated Independence Day in Colombo on Thursday.

Women held photos of their missing loved ones, and demanded answers from the Sri Lankan government regarding their whereabouts.

Kilinochchi protestors demand information on their missing loved ones

Feb 4, 2016

Protestors in Kilinochchi joined others across the North-East on Thursday, demanding the Sri Lankan government reveal the whereabouts of their missing relatives.

Taking place as the Sri Lankan government held a military parade to celebrate Independence Day, Tamils in Kilinochchi joined others across the North-East in protest.

Sri Lankan president ‘determined to face UN resolution to protect pride of armed forces’

Feb 3, 2016

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena declared his government was “determined to face” a UN Human Rights Council resolution in order to protect the “pride and dignity” of the armed forces.

Protest against UN Human Rights chief planned in Sri Lanka

Feb 3, 2016
A protest is set to take place against UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein as he visits the island later this week.

Posters have appeared calling on protestors to gather at Lipton Circus in Colombo on Saturday, when UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein lands on the island.

The High Commissioner will be holding talks with government officials and will visit Jaffna, where he will speak with Tamil representatives during his visit.
Zeid to arrive tomorrow for 4 day visit
Wigneswaran appreciates national anthem being sung in Tamil
Tamil Nadu parties concerned about Sri Lanka's constitution plans
World is watching says US on Sri Lanka's independence day
India foreign minister meets Sri Lanka prime minister to discuss bilateral issues
Tamils in Amparai mark Independence Day with protest for the disappeared
Kilinochchi protestors demand information on their missing loved ones
Sri Lankan president ‘determined to face UN resolution to protect pride of armed forces’
Protest against UN Human Rights chief planned in Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan president and Buddhist monks decry ‘Tamil national anthem’
Zeid to arrive tomorrow for 4 day visit
Wigneswaran appreciates national anthem being sung in Tamil
Tamil Nadu parties concerned about Sri Lanka's constitution plans
World is watching says US on Sri Lanka's independence day
India foreign minister meets Sri Lanka prime minister to discuss bilateral issues
Tamils in Amparai mark Independence Day with protest for the disappeared
Kilinochchi protestors demand information on their missing loved ones
Sri Lankan president ‘determined to face UN resolution to protect pride of armed forces’
Protest against UN Human Rights chief planned in Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan president and Buddhist monks decry ‘Tamil national anthem’