Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of hypocrisy over the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), pointing to NPP politicians who had themselves circulated songs glorifying the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during election campaigns. Sangeethsan, known…

Sri Lanka's TID summons IBC Tamil chairman

Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) have summoned Baskaran Kandiah, chairman of mass media company, IBC Tamil. 

The summons orders Kandiah to give a statement at the TID's Kilinochchi office tomorrow on an investigation that is being conducted by the anti-terrorism unit. However, the summons fails to mention what the investigation is in relation to. 

Mannar health workers protest against Sri Lankan government’s austerity measures

Health workers from Mannar General Hospital protested against the Sri Lankan government's austerity measures as the island continues to grapple with its economic crisis. 

Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs discusses bilateral relations with German MP

Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry met with Dr. Peter Ramsauer, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Parliament, to discuss the expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Dr. Ramsauer visited the island from 15 to 18 February during which he met with Sabry. 

During their discussion the contributions made by Germany were highlighted. One of these contributions is the expansion of vocational training provided by German technical institutes across the island. 

Bankrupt Sri Lanka to delay local elections due to lack of funding

Local elections which were set to take place next month are to be delayed due to the lack of funding the Election Commission announced. 

The Election Commission told the Supreme Court that the Sri Lankan Treasury has refused to fund the printing of ballot papers, fuel or police protection for polling booths.

IMF considers Sri Lankan bailout even without China’s backing

The US-based International Monetary Fund (IMF) is reported to be considering a bailout for Sri Lanka despite the island’s failure to secure support from China for its debt restructuring plan.

Sri Lanka's GSP+ concessions at risk according to German ambassador

Holger Seubert, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Sri Lanka is reportedly at risk of losing its favourable trading preferences granted by the Generalised Scheme of Preference Plus (GSP+) agreement, for failing to repeal the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

Still no answers as Tamil families of the disappeared mark six years of protests

Tamil families of the disappeared marked six years of continuous protest in Kilinochchi today as their campaign to know the fate of their forcibly disappeared loved ones continues. 

Finnish MP calls for targeted sanctions on Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes

Finnish MP Hussein al-Taee called on the government of Finland to impose targeted sanctions on Sri Lankan officials who have been credibly accused of war crimes.  

In a written question earlier this month, the Social Democratic Party MP asked if Finland will follow Canada and the US in imposing targeted sanctions through the Magnitsky Act. 

Sri Lanka delays non-urgent surgeries due to medicine shortage

File photograph: Healthcare workers in Mankulam protesting last year

Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic crisis has hit the health sector hard, forcing the country to delay non-urgent surgeries.

Tamil journalists demand justice for slain colleagues

Tamil journalists in Batticaloa held a rally yesterday to demand justice for journalists who have been killed by the Sri Lankan state. 

At the rally, a letter was handed to MP G Karunakaran to present to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, which calls for an international investigation into the murders and disappearances of Tamil journalists.