Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamils across the North-East commemorated Annai Poopathy on Saturday, marking 37 years since her hunger strike unto death, in protest of atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF). Poopathy Kanapathipillai, affectionately known as Annai Poopathy (Mother Poopathy), began her hunger strike on March 19, 1988 in Batticaloa, calling for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks…

Weliweriya factory to be relocated

Mahinda Rajapaksa assured residents of Rathupaswala, Weliweriya, that the factory accused of contaminating their ground water would be relocated.

A Presidential spokesperson said that the regional authorities would prioritise ensuring people receive safe water.

See the Island for full report.

Attacked mosque to be relocated

The Sri Lankan police has imposed a curfew, for the second day running, to prevent religious clashes in the Grandpass area of Colombo, following anti-Muslim violence outside a mosque, sources reported.

US concerned at mosque violence

The US embassy in Colombo has expressed concern at the attack on a mosque by a Buddhist mob on Saturday and called for the prosecution of the perpetrators.

See full statement below:

Muslim politicians demand action

Muslim politicians from the coalition called upon the government to take action against those responsible for the Saturday attack on a Colombo mosque.

The politicians blamed the 'communal violence' on lack of swift and decisive action by law enforcement authorities during previous attacks on places of worship over the past several months.

US would even issue a statement when an insect flies past': Weerawansa

A Sri Lankan minister, Wimal Weerawansa, accused the US Embassy of issuing statements that would even condemn a 'common cold'.

Speaking at a meeting in Matale, he reiterated that infrastructure development would continue unabated, stating,

17 year old girl missing in Mannar

A 17 year old girl has been reported missing in Mannar.

The girl, named Suganya, was last seen by a member of her family, at a bus stop in Mannar midday on Thursday, when she'd come to see her parents.

Her parents reported her missing to the local police station on Friday.

Suganya and her family reportedly in India till they moved back to the North-East ten months ago.

Mob attacks Colombo mosque

A mosque in the Grandpass area of Colombo was attacked on Saturday by a Buddhist mob injuring at least five people.

A Muslim resident in the area told the BBC that stones were thrown at the mosque during evening prayers.

Monks had protested outside the same mosque last month, demanding its relocation.

Buddhists and Muslims reportedly clashed after the attack, damaging several houses.

Tamil devotional songs banned from North-East temples

The Sri Lankan army has banned Saiva devotional songs produced by a well- known poet Puthuvai Ratnathurai from being played at Temples in Batticaloa, reported Tamilnet.

The whereabouts of the poet remain unknown after he was taken into military custody during the final stages of the 2009 onslaught.

Army welcomes Tamil children to new pre-school



Children at the Kattudai Vinayagar pre-school in Maanipay were welcomed by the Sri Lankan military into their new building - build courtesy of the army too.

The military's Civil Coordination in Jaffna said the Tamil children were "blessed" for this.

SL to offer military training to foreign troops

The Sri Lankan government is considering offering defence training to foreign countries at its Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) at Sapugaskanda. The college provides facilities to mid-level officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and police in “basic command and staff techniques”, reported ColomboPage.

The government proposed to offer training to countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Rwanda, Senegal and Sudan.