Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  A total of 302 skeletal remains have been identified during the excavations at the Chemmani mass grave site so far, whilst 298 have been completely exhumed.  Eight skeletal remains, including those of two children, were exhumed on Sunday (June 7), during the 18th day of the third phase of excavations. According to a legal expert from the excavation site, six additional skeletal…

Rajapapksa: 'easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise'

In an interview to China's state TV, President Mahinda Rajapaksa scorned western criticism of his government, remarking "it's easy for the western countries to talk, to criticise".

He said:
"The development of a country requires a stable government. A stable government is a powerful support to a country. A powerful government with full support by the people is the most important factor for us to push forward,"

Tamils mark the passing of Sunila Abeysekara, aged 61

Sunila Abeysekara, an internationally respected Sri Lankan human rights activist died on Monday aged 61 from cancer.



An outspoken figure amongst her colleagues in Sri Lanka, she was deeply respected by a number of international figures and Tamils for fearlessly raising the issue of human rights abuses committed against Tamils at the end of the armed conflict.

She eventually fled to live in exile in the Netherlands, after the Sri Lankan state owned media site called her a traitor for her endorsement of the 2012 UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.

She was also an ardent advocate for women's rights in South Asia as well as that of sex workers and homosexuals and transgender people.

In the days following her death on September 9th, a number of Tamil activists and organisations paid tribute to her work.

Mahinda campaigns in the Northern Province

Addressing a public rally in Mullaitivu, Mahinda Rajapaksa outlined that the government had taken expeditious measures to develop the war-battered Northern Province over the last 4 years.

Commonwealth covers up damning Sri Lanka report

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Map of NPC election violence goes live

A map of violence associated with the Northern Provincial Council election has now gone live online. The map was created by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence, an organisation formed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Free Media Movement and the Coalition Against Political Violence.

See here and a screenshot  of the map, taken today, below -

Sinhala Buddhist orgs attack TNA for 'pro-LTTE agenda'

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Several Buddhist organisations are planning to take legal action against the Tamil National Alliance's 'manifesto' in the run up to the Northern Provincial Council elections.

UK MPs call for CHOGM boycott amidst ongoing human rights abuses

In a parliamentary debate that took place on Tuesday, UK MPs discussed the on-going human rights abuses taking place in Sri Lanka despite the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) due to take place there later this year. See here for Hansard link.

Calling on the British Prime Minister David Cameron not to attend "owing to the horrific and continual human rights abuses in Sri Lanka", the Labour MP for Rotherham, Sarah Champion said:
"Post-2009, grave concerns still exist about military engagement in civilian activities in the north, including sexual abuse, the situation of detainees from the war, the impact of forcible disappearances, impunity, hatred and violence against religious minorities, the intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders, the weakening of democracy, growing authoritarianism, the erosion of the rule of law and the abduction and murder of journalists."

"I want our Prime Minister to show his commitment as an international citizen and as a serious defender of human rights by joining the Canadian Prime Minister in his boycott of the meeting."

Senator John McCain questions US policy on Sri Lanka

Arizona Senator and former presidential hopeful John McCain has asked whether the US should be more active in condemning the ongoing serious human rights violations in Sri Lanka, reported Colombo Gazette.

Speaking at the confirmation hearing of Nisha Desai Biswal, President Obama’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, McCain said there continue to be reports from human rights organisations that there are still significant human rights abuses taking place against the Tamils which rise to a level that is “very disturbing”.

Buddhist monks released on bail

A Sri Lankan court granted bail today to a Buddhist monk and four laymen that were arrested for attacking Christian places of worship. 

Women coerced into long-term birth control

Reports have suggested that women in three Kilinochchi villages were subjected to coercive birth control last month.

After being asked to visit the hospital to check up their children, the doctors allegedly used coercive language to convince the women to take Progestogen-only subdermal implants (PODIs), a long-term hormonal birth control under the skin of a women’s upper arm.