Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Amnesty International has called for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethan Ganeshkumar and renewed demands for the repeal of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the legislation continues to facilitate arbitrary detention and human rights abuses. In a statement issued this week, the international rights organisation expressed concern over the continued use of…

Hartal opposing new anti-terror legislation and Sinhalisation brings North-East to a standstill

A hartal opposing the Sri Lanka's new anti-terror legislation and the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland has caused a complete halt to all economic activities and movement of the public across the North-East. 

Jaffna University student union voice concerns over proposed Anti-Terrorism Act

Jaffna University's student union have expressed their concerns over the proposed Anti Terrorism Act which they state will curtail freedom of expression and association. 

Five Tamils killed in Delft house murder case

On April 22nd, a tragic incident occurred in Delft, Sri Lanka. Two men and three women were murdered in a house near the jetty and in the vicinity of the Naval base. One woman is in critical condition and has been admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment. The victims included the owner of the house, one other person who lives in Jaffna, and three people who were visiting from abroad. The person visiting from London was Velayudampillai Nagenthira Ratnam, age 78. The other victims were Naganathi Balasingham, age 82, Balasingham Kanmanipillai, age 76, Karthikesu Nageswari, age 83, and Mahadevan, age 75. 

 

Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the North-East

On April 22nd, many Muslims in Vavuniya and Mannar celebrated Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Several mosques in the area held special services that brought together many believers.

Covid-19 resurges in Jaffna peninsula, 5 people quarantined and one death

Multiple cases of Covid-19 have resurfaced in Jaffna, causing one death while five others have been quarantined. 

A 71 year old from Puttur Jaffna passed away whilst receiving treatment for the virus on Thursday. Earlier this week, five people were sent to a quarantine centre in Jaffna after an individual received treatement for an unrelared ailment, was found to be exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19. 

Activists demand release of occupied lands in Northern province

Activists handed a petition to the Governor of the Northern Province, demanding them to release occupied lands. 

The Voice of Women, a women’s rights organisation, the National Fisheries Cooperative, and activists from the South marched to the Governor's office in Jaffna to  hand over the petition.

Mullaitivu Farmers demand release of lands occupied by Sri Lanka's Civil Security Division

Four farmers in Mullaitivu are appealing to various authorities to release their lands, which are currently being occupied by the Civil Security Divison and used as a farm. The 12 acres of lands, located south of Udayar Kattu near the village tank, belong to the farmers, who claim that they are the only lands yet to be released to the rightful owners following the resettlement of families in the area.

Father Karunaratnam's assassination remembered in Mullaitivu 15 years on

An event was held yesterday to mark 15 years since Father Xavier Karunaratnam was assassinated in a claymore attack by Sri Lanka's Deep Penetration Unit. 

Mannar District Secretariat organises Iftar event

An Iftar event was organised by the District Secretariat of Mannar yesterdayl with the local Muslim community in Mannar. 

Protests in Jaffna and Mannar against Sri Lanka's draconian Anti Terrorism Act

North-East Women’s Group organised multiple protests in Jaffna and Mannar last month to protest against the proposed Anti Terrorism Act.