Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka extends emergency rule as only Tamil MPs oppose the measure
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.…

Resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people' says CTC

Jan 8, 2015
The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) called on newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to work with the Tamil leadership to “resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people”, in a statement released on the day he takes up office.

Noting Sirisena's victory “marks the end of a decade-long dynastic dictatorship of the Rajapakse family”, the CTC stated that Tamil people had “voted en masse” for change.

“After years of suffering inflicted by the current government and despite various acts of intimidation, thousands of voters took to the polls, symbolizing much needed hope for change,” read the CTC statement.

EU congratulates new president

Jan 8, 2015
The European Union congratulated Sri Lanka's new president on his election victory on Friday. 

"I congratulate Maithripala Sirisena on his election as President of Sri Lanka. The EU looks forward to working with him to further develop its relations with Sri Lanka," the EU's Vice President, Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

UK opposition leader calls for 'freedom, justice and fairness'

Jan 8, 2015
The leader of the UK Labour party Ed Miliband said Sri Lanka has reached a “new era” in politics and called for it to be guided “by the principles of freedom, justice and fairness,” after the election of Maithripala Sirisena to president.

In a statement congratulating the people of Sri Lanka, Miliband said,
“The UK must encourage the new Government to build an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka that works for all of its people that includes all communities, Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim.”

China congratulates Sirisena, wishes to promote strategic cooperative partnership

Jan 8, 2015
Congratulating the newly elected president, Maithripala Sirisena on his election victory, China highlighted the "strategic cooperative partnership" between the countries.

"China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei today in Beijing extended China’s congratulations on Mr. Sirisena’s election as President of Sri Lanka and wish that the Sri Lankan government and people will make new achievements under his leadership," China's embassy in Colombo was quoted by The Island as saying.

Germany hopes for 'fundamental reconciliation' from new president

Jan 8, 2015
Germany expressed its hope for a "fundamental reconciliation between the different communities" on the island, in a message congratulating the newly elected president, Maithripala Sirisena on his win.

"I congratulate Maithripala Sirisena on his election victory. We wish him the best of luck and much success for the realisation of his political goals for a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Sri Lank," said the country's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a statement on Friday.

Amnesty calls for new Sri Lankan government to fully cooperate with UN investigation

Jan 8, 2015
Sri Lanka’s new government must “fully cooperate with the UN investigation,” said Amnesty International in a press release on Friday.

“The lack of accountability for past human rights violations has been the tragic norm in Sri Lanka over the past decade. Tens of thousands of victims and family members are still waiting for the justice they deserve and the new administration must work to deliver it,” said Amnesty International’s deputy Asia pacific director David Griffiths.

Explosion near Jaffna polling booth

Jan 7, 2015


A hand grenade exploded by an abandoned house in Point Pedro, Jaffna, on Thursday morning, as polls opened for Sri Lanka's presidential election.


Tamils vote in North-East amid grenade explosions

Jan 7, 2015
Updated 23:45 GMT
Tamils came on Thursday to cast their vote at Sri Lanka's presidential election despite grenade explosions and disruptions to transport services to polling booths.

Tamils voted to ensure no fraud, not in belief things will change says TNA spokesperson

Jan 7, 2015
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesperson, Suresh Premachandran, questioned what change the election would bring for the Tamil people, stating that votes were cast merely to prevent election fraud in Tamil areas, not in any belief that the election would bring progress to the Tamil people.

"Whether our problems as Tamil people will be resolved whoever of these two come to power remains an important question," Premachandran told reporters in Jaffna on Thursday, after casting his vote.

"They say that if the opposition wins democracy will come to Sri Lanka however, a key question of mine is will this democracy come to the Northern province? Will that democracy stay in the South? Or will it look over at the North? Will the people here be able to live peacefully?" he asked.

Ensure peaceful and inclusive election Kerry tells Rajapaksa ahead of polls

Jan 7, 2015
The US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday to ensure today's election was "credible, peaceful and inclusive".

"The United States supports a free and fair electoral process in Sri Lanka that is credible, peaceful and inclusive," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told journalists on Wednesday.

"To that end, Secretary Kerry called the Sri Lankan President yesterday [Tuesday] to underscore the government's responsibility to ensure the January 8th elections will be free from violence and intimidation and that the vote counting is carried out credibly and transparently."

EU congratulates new president
UK opposition leader calls for 'freedom, justice and fairness'
China congratulates Sirisena, wishes to promote strategic cooperative partnership
Germany hopes for 'fundamental reconciliation' from new president
Amnesty calls for new Sri Lankan government to fully cooperate with UN investigation
Explosion near Jaffna polling booth
Tamils vote in North-East amid grenade explosions
Tamils voted to ensure no fraud, not in belief things will change says TNA spokesperson
Ensure peaceful and inclusive election Kerry tells Rajapaksa ahead of polls
Police ban demonstrations for 7 days
EU congratulates new president
UK opposition leader calls for 'freedom, justice and fairness'
China congratulates Sirisena, wishes to promote strategic cooperative partnership
Germany hopes for 'fundamental reconciliation' from new president
Amnesty calls for new Sri Lankan government to fully cooperate with UN investigation
Explosion near Jaffna polling booth
Tamils vote in North-East amid grenade explosions
Tamils voted to ensure no fraud, not in belief things will change says TNA spokesperson
Ensure peaceful and inclusive election Kerry tells Rajapaksa ahead of polls
Police ban demonstrations for 7 days