Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A rare trilingual stone inscription featuring texts in Tamil, Chinese, and Persian has been added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. The tablet, dated 15 February 1409, was discovered in 1911 in Galle, on the southern tip of the island, by a British engineer H.F. Tomalin. It is thought to have been installed by the famed Chinese admiral Zheng He during one of his voyages across the…

Human chain protest in Jaffna condemning threats to Judge T. Saravanajah

A human chain protest took place in Jaffna, condemning the death threats made against former Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanajah, which ultimately led to his resignation from all his judicial positions.

Mannar civil society protests against threats to Judge T. Saravanarajah

On October 4th, a joint protest was organised by a youth group from Mannar and various civil society organisations, demonstrating their solidarity with the ongoing protests in the North-East condemning the death threats faced by former Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah.

Batticaloa Bar Association joins protest over lack of judicial independence

On October 3rd, the Batticaloa Bar Association added their voices to the ongoing protests, which condemn the lack of independence of the judiciary. This movement has gained momentum following the resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge T. Saravanarajah, who stepped down from all his posts due to receiving death threats.

TRO France assists 50 farmers in Kokkuthoduvai

On October 4th, the French Tamil organisation Organisation de Réhabilitation Tamoule (TRO France) extended their support to 50 farmers, primarily women, in Mullaitivu. The aid distribution event took place at the Kokkuthoduvai Agrarian Services Centre.

Uncertainty surrounds Kokkuthoduvai mass grave excavation

The future of the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave excavation and exhumation appears uncertain, with the Mullaitivu Judicial Medical Officer, K. Vasudeva, indicating that it may be halted indefinitely.

The Judicial Medical Officer was questioned as to when the excavations were expected to resume and when the investigation results for the 17 skeletal remains already exhumed would be made public.

TNPF leader speaks at British Tamil Conservatives Conference

Ahead of the UK general election, the leader of the Tamil National People Front leader, Gajen Ponnambalam MP attended the British Tamil Conservatives annual reception at the British Conservative Party conference.

The conference was held on Monday at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and was attended by over 200 participants. 

Ponnambalam spoke on the genocide committed against Eelam Tamils.

Sri Lanka's Forest department allocates land across North-East to foreign companies

The Sri Lankan government plans to allocate land to foreign companies to allow agriculture projects with tax concessions. 

The government is planning to hand over thousands of acres of forest land to several local and foreign companies under a new cabinet decision.

Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation on January 23, 2023 to resolve problems relating to forests coming under the purview of the Forest Conservation Department and Wildlife Conservation Department.

Lawyers in Mullaitivu continue strike in support of resigned Judge

Lawyers from the Mullaitivu Bar Association are continuing their strike for the second consecutive day, demanding justice for Judge T. Saravanarajah, who resigned from all his positions due to death threats linked to his verdicts in the Kurunthurmalai archaeology case.

Sri Lanka’s President lashes out when questioned on Channel 4 report

 

Sri Lanka’s President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, lashed out during an interview with Deutsche Welle when asked for a response to serious concerns raised by the Channel 4 documentary on the Easter Sunday bombings and the need for an international investigation.

Protest in Kilinochchi demanding Judicial independence

In a demonstration of concern and solidarity, protestors in Kilinochchi gathered to demand independence for the judiciary and condemn political interference that led to the resignation of Mullaitivu Magistrate Court Judge T. Saravanaraja.