Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka has chosen not to proceed with a proposed land connectivity project with India at this time, despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to the initiative during recent bilateral discussions during his three-day visit, reported by the Daily Mirror on Friday. The concept of a land bridge linking the two countries was first proposed during the 2002–2004 premiership of Ranil…

US cable: SL paramilitary subjects Tamil women to forced abortions

Leaked United States Embassy cables have shed light on forced abortions that were carried out by doctors aligned with Sri Lankan paramilitary under the guise of regular medical check-ups.

The recently unearthed cable, written by Ambassador Robert Blake, discusses Sri Lanka’s complicity in paramilitary operations, which included extra-judicial killings, forced abortions, child trafficking and extortion.

Detailing the account of a Christian Father, the cable included details of the government allied paramilitary group, the EPDP, carrying out forced abortions on Tamil women with links to the LTTE:
"Father Bernard also told us of an EPDP medical doctor named Dr. Sinnathambi, who performs forced abortions, often under the guise of a regular check-up, on Tamil women suspected of being aligned with the LTTE."

Citing a Jaffna government agent, the cable also described how the EPDP, carried out assassinations:
"when the EPDP intends to kill a target, they first provide notice to the military.  The number of soldiers patrolling the streets of Jaffna (40,000 total on the peninsula) is such that there are literally soldiers stationed at every street corner.  At an agreed time, all of the soldiers in the designated area take a five to ten minute "break" at once (although the normal practice is to take breaks in shifts).  At that point, armed and masked gunmen, often riding on motorcycles, race down the street and assassinate the intended victim.  Shortly after the killing, the soldiers' break over, they return to their posts to deal with the aftermath. While police investigations are common, they almost never lead to arrests."


Foreign election monitors: arrival statement

In statement published Wednesday, the Commonwealth election monitors, who arrived on the island a few days ago, ahead of the Northern Provincial Council election due to take place on Saturday, outlined their mandate.
"Our task is to consider all the factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole, and to assess whether the election is conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Sri Lanka has committed itself, with reference to its own election legislation as well as relevant regional, Commonwealth and other international commitments.

We will consider, among other things, whether conditions exist for free and competitive elections; whether the Elections Commission is independent and effective; the transparency of the process; whether candidates have been free to campaign; what role the media has played; whether voters have been free to express their will; and whether the results process is transparent.

No Fire Zone' screening organisers to be charged in Malaysia

One of the three people, Lena Hendry, who were arrested following the screening of 'No Fire Zone' documentary in Malaysia is to be charged on Thursday at the KL Magistrate Court under the Film Censorship Act.

Hendry, the program officer of the organisation PUSAT KOMAS, was arrested on the 3rd July along with the Executive Director, Arul Prakkash and one of the Board of Directors Anna Har, after the screening was raided by Malaysian police, on apparent instructions of the Malaysian Home Ministry (KDN).

Below is a press statement by PUSAT KOMAS:

TNA sets out to win support of the masses

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) held a mass election rally in Nallur today, with several candidates addressing the crowds, and urging them to come out and vote.


   
Front page of the TNA electoral publication  

See below  for commentary from the event as it took place.

SL military and MoD receive high corruption ratings

In a recent study conducted by the Transparency International UK’s Defence and Security Programme (TI-DSP) , Sri Lanka was placed amongst the 14 most likely countries that were likely to suffer from high level corruption in their Ministry of Defence and armed forces.

ICP questions UN on impunity for SL peacekeepers

Questioning the UN's claim of 'zero tolerance' for sexual abuse, the Inner City Press (ICP), asked the UN whether it was denying the allegation of rape against Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti.

Rajapaksa: 'army will never be withdrawn completely' from North

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa answered a wide range of questions concerning the end of the armed conflict and the time that has passed since then. See here for full interview, extracts reproduced below.

Asked about militarisation of the North-East and why a phased withdrawal was not possible, Rajapaksa commented:

SL collecting data for citizen identity cards

Sri Lanka’s Department of Registration of Persons will commence issuing new electronic National Identity Cards to all ‘citizens’ from November, reported Colombo Page.

Tamil TNA campaigner killed in Mullaitivu

A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) campaigner, Rasiah Kavithan, was killed by a group of supporters of the ruling party UPFA in Mullaitivu today, reports TamilNet

The Sri Lankan police force in the area handed over the dead body to the mortuary in Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital.