Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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'Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing'
Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing". Speaking at a media briefing held at the Mannar Urban Council on Friday, Vasanthan criticised the decision to arrest the…

Mannar mass grave count rises to 55

Jan 29, 2014
As excavations continued at the site of the Mannar mass grave in Thirukketheeswaram yesterday, two more human remains were discovered, bringing the toll up to 55, reports the Uthayan.

Today, skeletal fragments of previously discovered remains were unearthed reported the newspaper. The excavation is set to continue tomorrow.

MoD issues threats to TNA ahead of UNHRC

Jan 28, 2014
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence has threatened to investigate the Tamil coalition party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), over the party's links to the LTTE, reports a pro-government newspaper The Island today.

Citing a 'senior MoD spokesman', the paper wrote that the investigation would 'focus on the close relationship between the LTTE and the TNA since late 2001, when the political grouping recognised the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people.  Based on the findings, legal action would be taken against TNA members'.

SL navy releases detained Indian fishermen after bilateral discussions

Jan 28, 2014
The Sri Lankan navy today, released 69 Indian fishermen that were detained under Sri Lankan court order.

The handover was a result of bilateral discussions regarding the fisherman situation held in New Delhi on January 15.

NPC resolution calls for Mullivaikkaal memorial

Jan 28, 2014

The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) has passed a resolution calling for a monument to be built to commemorate those killed in Mullivaikkaal earlier this week. 

The resolution, which was passed unanimously, was proposed by the councillor for Mullaitivu, T Raviharan. Noting that thousands had died, he told Ceylon Today,

"A monument has not been built to pay respect to the civilians in the Mullaitivu District. Therefore, I decided to bring in a resolution to build a monument remembering all the civilians, who died during the final stages of the war.”

International investigation necessary resolves Northern Province

Jan 27, 2014

The Northern Provincial Council (NPC) passed several resolutions on Monday stating that an international investigation was need to investigate the Sri Lankan state's actions against the Tamils which amounted to genocide.

Body of missing 10 year old Tamil boy found in Naanu Oya

Jan 27, 2014
The body of a 10 year old Tamil boy, who went missing yesterday, was found today in a pond in Naanu Oya, reports Tamilwin.

The body was identified as Anthony Robert, who was reported missing by his father yesterday, after he went out to play in the evening after school and never returned.

Tamil council member found dead in Nuwareliya

Jan 27, 2014
The body of a 26 year old Tamil man, D. Sasikumar, who worked for the Nuwareliya Council, was found this week reported the Virakesari on Monday.

One person, who has not been identified, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

More skeletons found, total rises to 53 - Uthayan

Jan 27, 2014
A further five human remains were found on Tuesday morning, reported the Uthayan, bringing the total number of remains found at the mass grave in Mannar to 53.

As excavations continue, on Monday the Northern Provincial Council, called for an internationally run investigation into the mass grave in Mannar.

Earlier this month the Bishop of Mannar, who has called for an international investigation into the mass grave due to the lack of credibility associated with any internal process, said that the holes in many of the skulls were believed to be from gunshot wounds.

Sri Lanka's LLRC does not meet international standards - FCO

Jan 27, 2014
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, today outlined that Sri Lanka’s domestic Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed to address accountability issues did not meet international standards.

Responding to questions raised on Sri Lanka, the British Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), Hugo Swire, said,

“We have also highlighted that any domestic process should be credible independent and transparent to be accepted by the international community. We do not believe that any of the processes established to date by the Sri Lankan Government – such as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission – meet these standards.”

Canada deports Tamil mother, leaving family behind

Jan 27, 2014

Canadian authorities have deported a Tamil mother to Sri Lanka earlier this week, forcing her to leave her family behind in Canada.

MoD issues threats to TNA ahead of UNHRC
SL navy releases detained Indian fishermen after bilateral discussions
NPC resolution calls for Mullivaikkaal memorial
International investigation necessary resolves Northern Province
Body of missing 10 year old Tamil boy found in Naanu Oya
Tamil council member found dead in Nuwareliya
More skeletons found, total rises to 53 - Uthayan
Sri Lanka's LLRC does not meet international standards - FCO
Canada deports Tamil mother, leaving family behind
US envoy to visit NE and London before discussing SL resolution
MoD issues threats to TNA ahead of UNHRC
SL navy releases detained Indian fishermen after bilateral discussions
NPC resolution calls for Mullivaikkaal memorial
International investigation necessary resolves Northern Province
Body of missing 10 year old Tamil boy found in Naanu Oya
Tamil council member found dead in Nuwareliya
More skeletons found, total rises to 53 - Uthayan
Sri Lanka's LLRC does not meet international standards - FCO
Canada deports Tamil mother, leaving family behind
US envoy to visit NE and London before discussing SL resolution