Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the country's state of public emergency, with all seven votes against the measure cast by Tamil Members of Parliament. The motion was passed by 135 votes in favour and seven against, a majority of 128. The seven MPs who opposed the extension were Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Sivagnanam Shritharan, K. Kodeeswaran, G. Srineshan, T.…

Newly appointed Finance Minister resigns within 24 hours

Sri Lankan President rejects resignation of Justice Minister | Tamil  Guardian

Ali Sabry tendered his resignation this morning, a day after being appointed as Finance Minister by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amidst Sri Lanka's national crisis. 

Sabry, a long time ally of Rajapaksa, was one of the four new Ministers appointed yesterday after the entire Cabinet, excluding Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned over the weekend. 

‘Sri Lanka stands at a crucial point in its history’ – US Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka meets with defence officials as protests continue

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) met with the Inspector General of Police, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Chairman, the Ministry of Defence, State Ministry of Defence Secretary-General, and Ministry of Mass Media Secretary for a special meeting concerning human rights issues, as protest continue across the south of the island.

‘If Sri Lanka is to move forwards, it must severely curtail military spending’ – Canadian Tamil MP Gary Anandasangaree

Canada, UK and New Zealand issue travel warnings over Sri Lanka's 'civil unrest'

Canada, the UK and New Zealand have all updated their travel warnings, telling citizens to "exercise caution" when travelling to Sri Lanka, commenting on the wave of anti-government protests sweeping the island.

 

Canada

The Government of Canada's Travel Advisory for Sri-Lanka

Mullaitivu Press Club condemns attacks on Sinhala journalists

Mullaitivu Press Club (MPC) condemned the recent attacks on Sinhala journalists during anti-government protests last week. 

Sri Lankan army ready to 'provide security to the state' accused war criminal tells diplomats

Shavendra Siva held a meeting with several defence advisors from foreign embassies in which he spoke of the readiness of the Army to "provide security and protection to the state as necessary" as anti-government protests ignite across the island.

“The armed forces of Sri Lanka would always comply with the Constitution and the Army is no exception. The Army as a professional outfit is always prepared to provide security and protection to the State as necessary”, Silva explained to the visiting representatives.

‘Go Home Gota’ – Protests in Batticaloa call for resignation of Sri Lankan president

Mass protests broke out in Batticaloa as students at the Eastern Medical University and members of the TNA demanded that Sri Lanka’s President resign as the country faces a dire economic crisis.

Ruling coalition partner withdraws support amidst political crisis

14 MPs from the Sri Lankan Freedom Party (SLFP), a coalition partner to the Rajapaksa regime, have withdrawn their support from the government amidst ongoing protests and an economic crisis that has led all members of the cabinet, bar the President and Prime Minister, to resign from their posts.

The time has come to work together' - President calls on all parties to accept ministerial positions

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has called on all political parties to accept ministerial portfolios "to come together to find solutions" after the majority of his Cabinet resigned yesterday. 

As protests raged across the South yesterday, 26 ministers, excluding his brother and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, tendered their resignations amidst the island's worsening crises.