Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Hundreds march in Kilinochchi against limestone, sand mining and wind turbines
A protest march was held last month opposing limestone excavation, mineral sand mining and a proposed wind power project across the villages of Veravil, Valaipadu, Ponnaveli and Kiranchi, in the Poonakary Divisional Secretariat division of Kilinochchi. The demonstration was organised against plans to establish wind power stations and to carry out mineral sand and limestone extraction in the…

Freedom from fear essential for reconciliation in Sri Lanka says UN rapporteur

Mar 14, 2015
Photograph:Tamil Guardian

Sri Lanka’s government must create “open space” for reconciliation said the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief on Thursday.

“Freedom from fear is the most elementary part in allowing for freedom for religion and expression in a situation like Sri Lanka, said Heiner Bielefeldt.

Communal violence in a climate of impunity occurs in Sri Lanka in the name of Buddhism, as Buddhists seem to have an unjustified fear leading to hate speech the rapporteur added. 

Sri Lankans find international investigation into atrocities insulting - CBK

Mar 14, 2015
The former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga said that the Sri Lankan people felt calls for the UN led international investigations into war crimes were “insulting,” reports the International Business Times UK.
 
“The whole country doesn’t want (an international inquiry) because it is the feeling that it is insulting to the government that we cannot carry out our own investigation in a transparent manner,” she said.

Kumaratunga was elected as president in 1994 and stood down in 2005.

BJP hails 'historic' Modi visit

Mar 14, 2015
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hailed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka as “historic” and praised the “very positive message sent to Tamils” on the island.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said the visit would “pave the way for strong ties between India and Sri Lanka,” adding,
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit after three decades has proved to be a historic visit. Prime Minister's visit to Jaffna has sent a very positive message to Tamils living in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. He also flagged of the fishermen issue and his address to the Sri Lankan Parliament was very grandly appreciated.”

Another Chinese construction project under review by Sri Lanka

Mar 14, 2015
The Sri Lankan government has announced that the Chinese-funded 'Lotus Tower'' project is to be reviewed, in order to assess whether the construction of the tower should continue.

Sri Lanka's Ports and Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga told reporters in Colombo that construction is currently taking place on land that belongs to the Ports Authority without proper government protocol having been followed.

Construction of the tower began in 2012, under former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The US$104.3 million project was funded with a loan from China's EXIM Bank with a Chinese conglomerate made up of China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation (CEIEC) and Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd (ALIT) due to complete the construction of the tower.

In Jaffna 'to wipe tears' from those that suffered - Modi

Mar 13, 2015

Photo: Zee Media Bureau

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Jaffna earlier today, in a visit to help "wipe the tears from the eyes of those who suffered".

The PM, speaking at the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Centre, at Jaffna Library, said the Sri Lankan government should go beyond the 13th Amendment to the constitution, to find a political solution.

Sri Lankan navy attack Tamil Nadu fishermen

Mar 13, 2015
Five Indian fishermen from Rameswaran in Tamil Nadu were attacked by Sri Lankan navy personnel on Saturday whilst fishing near Katchatheevu, reports PTI.

According to the president of the Rameshwaram Fishermen Association, T Sasuraja, the navy personnel fired into the air, warning the fishermen not to fish in those waters, before proceeding to destroy some of the fishing nets.

The incident comes as the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, visited Sri Lanka and met with President Sirisena.

The fishermen issue is one of “humanitarian concern”, Mr Modi was quoted by The Hindu as saying on Friday.

India to make Trincomalee a regional petroleum hub says Modi

Mar 13, 2015
The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, said on Friday that India would make Trincomalee a regional petroleum hub.

Visiting Sri Lanka, Mr Modi said a joint task force would be initiated to carry out the project.

Stating that he was "aware of your concerns about trade with India", Mr Modi pledged to try and address those concerns.

"The agreement today on cooperation between our customs authorities is a step in that direction. It will simplify trade and reduce non-tariff barriers on both sides."

Demonstrators in Jaffna call on Modi to pressure Sri Lanka to meet Tamil demands

Mar 13, 2015
Photograph: Tamil Guardian

Tamils staged a silent demonstration at Jaffna Bus Station on Saturday, calling on the visiting Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, to pressure the Sri Lankan government to address immediate Tamil needs in the North-East.


Modi meets with Mahinda Rajapaksa

Mar 13, 2015

(Photo @meaindia)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa in his last engagement during his visit to the island.

More civilian land in North-East to be taken by military

Mar 12, 2015

Around 19 acres of civilian land in Puthukkudiyiruppu, in the Vanni, will be transferred to the Sri Lankan army on March 17, reported the Uthayan.

The land, outside the town's local government office, belongs to 20 families and includes 18 properties.

Sri Lankans find international investigation into atrocities insulting - CBK
BJP hails 'historic' Modi visit
Another Chinese construction project under review by Sri Lanka
In Jaffna 'to wipe tears' from those that suffered - Modi
Sri Lankan navy attack Tamil Nadu fishermen
India to make Trincomalee a regional petroleum hub says Modi
Demonstrators in Jaffna call on Modi to pressure Sri Lanka to meet Tamil demands
Modi meets with Mahinda Rajapaksa
More civilian land in North-East to be taken by military
Released Tamil disappearances activist yet to be given official identity documents
Sri Lankans find international investigation into atrocities insulting - CBK
BJP hails 'historic' Modi visit
Another Chinese construction project under review by Sri Lanka
In Jaffna 'to wipe tears' from those that suffered - Modi
Sri Lankan navy attack Tamil Nadu fishermen
India to make Trincomalee a regional petroleum hub says Modi
Demonstrators in Jaffna call on Modi to pressure Sri Lanka to meet Tamil demands
Modi meets with Mahinda Rajapaksa
More civilian land in North-East to be taken by military
Released Tamil disappearances activist yet to be given official identity documents