Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Residents of Nainativu staged a protest in Iranguthurai, accusing the Sri Lankan police of bias after eight workers were arrested following a dispute at the jetty. The incident began two days ago, when a dispute broke out between labourers involved in loading operations and a contractor at the Nainativu jetty. The disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation. In the aftermath of the…

What a catch! Jaffna fishermen land 14 sharks in one night

In a rare catch on Sunday evening, fishermen in Jaffna caught a group of 14 sharks.

The total weight of the catch was estimated to be over 2,000kg, with the fish being valued at several thousands dollars.

More arrests in Jaffna over drug possession

Several people have been arrested in recent weeks having found to be in possession of illegal drugs, as illicit drug usage continues to plague the North-East.  

Last week, at least two persons were arrested by Sri Lankan police for possessing 2 grams of ice (methamphetamine), one gram of heroin and several syringes.

Earlier today a further four people were arrested with 2 grams of heroin.

Britain places the lives of Tamil refugees in ‘grave danger’

British authorities have come under fire for placing the lives of Tamil refugees, including children, at risk by enabling those stranded in Diego Garcia to travel onward in vessels that lacked basic safety equipment.

‘We don’t need your money, we want our children back’ – Tamil families of disappeared take their protest to Colombo

More than 150 relatives of men, women and children who have been forcibly disappeared by the Sri Lankan state came to Colombo today, where they demonstrated outside the United Nations office in the capital and continued to call for justice.

Chaos in Kandy – Mahinda Rajapaksa’s triumphant return?

Over a dozen protesters have been detained by heavily armed Sri Lanka police as they demonstrated against a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) rally featuring disgraced former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Despite the unrest earlier, the former prime minister reassured the crowd of his confidence that his party could win a general election.

A recipe for disaster – The politics of Sri Lanka’s food

With staggering levels of inflation, shortages of basic necessities, and record levels of people living below the poverty line, Sri Lankan bakers have called on the government for a reprieve through price controls on wheat flour.

Will Sri Lanka see riots over tax hikes?

As Sri Lanka continues discussions with the International Monetary Fund and its creditors, Sri Lankan opposition MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has warned of social unrest in response to proposed tax increases.

Arrest warrant issued for extremist monk Galagodaaththe Gnanasara

Colombo’s Chief Magistrate Court has issued an arrest warrant for former convict and extremist monk Galagodaaththe Gnanasara after he ignored a court summon over charges of hate speech he directed towards Muslims.

Sri Lanka’s state minister executes a dog

During a visit to Vadamarachi, Jaffna, the bodyguard of former convict turned Sri Lankan state minister Lohan Ratwatte, turned his pistol on a barking pet dog that approached the minister.

Last September, Ratwatte reportedly forced Tamil inmates detained in the Anuradhapura prison to kneel down at gunpoint on Sunday, sources revealed. Ratwatte was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he entered the premises and demanded Tamil prisoners to perform the humiliating act. 

China still sees Rajapaksa as Colombo’s power broker

On Friday, China’s ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong visited disgraced former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.