Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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'Is singing terrorism?' - Vavuniya artists challenge PTA detention of Tamil musician
Artists, activists and members of the public gathered in Vavuniya on Monday to demand the immediate release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeshkumar, who remains detained under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The demonstration, organised by a collective of Vavuniya-based artists, took place in the town's old bus stand area and drew the participation of political representatives,…

9th round of consultations with China 'highly successful' says Sri Lanka

May 2, 2014
Sri Lanka described a visit by a delegation from China as "high successful", following the 9th round of bilateral consultations between the two countries.

The event, co-chaired by Kshenuka Senewiratne, Secretary at Sri Lanka's Ministry of External Affairs and Liu Zhenmin, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, took place on 29 April.

54 asylum seekers detained by navy off Mullaitivu coast

May 2, 2014
Photographs News.lk


Fifty-four asylum seekers, including 13 children, attempting to flee on board a trawler, were detained by the Sri Lankan navy yesterday, off the coast of Mullaitivu.

Thirteen children, 11 women and 30 men have been arrested, and handed over CID officers at Trincomalee harbour, reported the government's news portal.

UNP protests for democracy after MPs assaulted

May 2, 2014
Photographs Colombo Telegraph


UNP MPs and supporters called for democracy, protesting against police inaction over the alleged assault of UNP MPs demonstrating outside Hambantota police station on April 17.

TNA calls for end to Sri Lankan state oppression at May Day

May 1, 2014
TNA rally at Chavakachcheri. Photograph @uthayarasashali

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called for an end to Sri Lankan state oppression, and for the Tamil people's right to self-determination, in a series of events across the North-East yesterday marking May Day.

TNPF calls for Tamil freedom from Sri Lankan state at May Day

May 1, 2014
Photographs @TNPForg

The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) marched against all forms of oppression inflicted on the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan stated, and called for the Tamil people's freedom from the Sri Lankan state at its May Day rally yesterday in Karaveddy.

We are unbowed' says President Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka's political parties mark May Day

May 1, 2014
Photograph DailyNews.lk

In a defiant speech as crowds gathered for the ruling UPFA May Day rally, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said "we are unbowed", pledging to resist any foreign force trying to change the government, as Sri Lanka's political parties, marked May Day yesterday.

Full text of 5 resolutions adopted by Northern Provincial Council this week

May 1, 2014
The Northern Provincial Council adopted five resolutions on Monday, at its 8th meeting.
See here for full text of all five resolutions, tabled by Northern Provincial Councillor M.K. Shivajilingham. 

Calling on the international community to find a permanent solution to the ethnic conflict which recognises the self-determination of the Tamil people, the NPC demanded that as a minimum, a federal setup is established for a sovereign Tamil nation with a merged Northern and Eastern provinces.

Condemning the Sri Lankan government's proscription of Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, one resolution questioned the intentions of the government in its action, and in three resolutions concerning the UN Human Rights Council session in March, the NPC thanked the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as all members states who sponsored and voted for a resolution mandating an international investigation into Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka's Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W. D. J. Seneviratna said that the Northern Provincial councils' adoption of the five resolutions, showed that they were promoting terrorism and the LTTE’s ‘separatist Eelam agenda’, and that it was "proof they are terrorists". See more here.

The text of the five resolutions has been reproduced in full below:

NORTHERN PROVINCIAL COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS - 28 April 2014

RESOLUTION 1

Tamil people seek justice under international norms for the crimes committed against them during the war; we express our gratitude to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and all those countries that sponsored the UNHRC Resolution during the March 2014 session calling for international investigation in Sri Lanka:

UK urges Sri Lanka to renew commitment to free expression on World Press Freedom day

May 1, 2014
The British Commission in Colombo urged Sri Lanka "to renew its commitment to free expression by protecting journalists and ensuring investigations take place into past crimes" and highlighted the continuing harassment and intimidation of journalists, in a statement issued to mark World Press Freedom Day tomorrow.

"Across the world, journalists face constant threats because of their work. Many journalists in Sri Lanka work against a similarly difficult backdrop: harassment and intimidation continue," the statement read.

Muslim parliamentarians write to Rajapaksa about hate campaign of Buddhist groups

May 1, 2014
In an open letter to President Rajapaksa, Muslim parliamentarians expressed concern over the "continued hate campaign, intimidation, and threats to Muslims carried out by some Buddhist extremist elements of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Sinhala Ravaya and Ravana Balakaya organizations", and called on the President to assist in their resettlement.

UNP Sajith Premadasa: Sri Lanka does not require foreign advice to solve its problems

May 1, 2014
The opposition party UNP's Sajith Premadasa said "Sri Lanka did not require foreign advice to solve its problems" and praised his late father, former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, for "not having succumbed to international pressure", the Island reported. 
54 asylum seekers detained by navy off Mullaitivu coast
UNP protests for democracy after MPs assaulted
TNA calls for end to Sri Lankan state oppression at May Day
TNPF calls for Tamil freedom from Sri Lankan state at May Day
We are unbowed' says President Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka's political parties mark May Day
Full text of 5 resolutions adopted by Northern Provincial Council this week
UK urges Sri Lanka to renew commitment to free expression on World Press Freedom day
Muslim parliamentarians write to Rajapaksa about hate campaign of Buddhist groups
UNP Sajith Premadasa: Sri Lanka does not require foreign advice to solve its problems
Tamil parties to call for self-determination and end to oppression at May Day marches today
54 asylum seekers detained by navy off Mullaitivu coast
UNP protests for democracy after MPs assaulted
TNA calls for end to Sri Lankan state oppression at May Day
TNPF calls for Tamil freedom from Sri Lankan state at May Day
We are unbowed' says President Rajapaksa, as Sri Lanka's political parties mark May Day
Full text of 5 resolutions adopted by Northern Provincial Council this week
UK urges Sri Lanka to renew commitment to free expression on World Press Freedom day
Muslim parliamentarians write to Rajapaksa about hate campaign of Buddhist groups
UNP Sajith Premadasa: Sri Lanka does not require foreign advice to solve its problems
Tamil parties to call for self-determination and end to oppression at May Day marches today