Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Ahead of the Sri Lankan President’s visit to Jaffna, landowners who spoke to the media demanding the release of their lands were subject to intimidation and surveillance by the police. A press briefing was organized on Thursday near the Vasavilan junction by the "Valikamam North Land Release Committee," where affected residents intended to voice their demands to the President via the media.…

Canada speaks out against inaction on Sri Lanka

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird has warned that the UN’s significance is endangered when it fails to act on its founding principles, stating Sri Lanka’s war crimes as one such issue.   

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Baird said,

Ban Ki-Moon appoints Head for review into UN conduct

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed former Under-Secretary-General Thoraya Obaid to conduct the review into the UN’s activities during and after the war in Sri Lanka, as suggested by the UN Panel of Experts.

The Panel made following recommendation to the UN in their comprehensive report released in April 2011, which is now being examined by the Human Rights Council:

Remembering Thileepan

September 26 is the anniversary of the death of LTTE Lt. Col. Thileepan in 1987 during his hungerstrike appealing for the Indian government of Premier Rajiv Gandhi to honour the security undertakings it gave to the Tamil people alongside its 1987 Accord with Sri Lanka. Click image for details.

From the killing fields …

Catholic priest, Fr GA Francis Joseph, amongst the population being massacred by Sri Lanka's bombardment, says in a letter to the Pope sent on May 10, 2009:

“Last night's toll of the dead is 3318 and of the injured more than 4000.

“It was a barrage of artillery, mortar, multi-barrel shelling and cluster bombs, weapons which Sri Lankan government denies using on the civilians in the no fire zone.

UK still ‘complicit’ in torture of Tamils

The UK is preparing to deport more than 100 Tamils on Wednesday, while pressure by human rights organisations is mounting to stop all deportations until the safety of Tamils can be guaranteed.

An event on the sidelines of the Labour Party conference, organised by Freedom from Torture and Human Rights Watch, highlighted the systematic targeting of Tamils being deported from other countries.

Hosted by Channel 4’s Jonathan Miller, the event focussed on ‘the desperate need for justice and accountability in Sri Lanka and to cover lessons that can be drawn from the Sri Lanka “case” for the protection of human rights within UK foreign policy.’

Canadian Tamil youth remember Thileepan

 

The Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO-Canada) and the Canadian Tamils Arts and Culture Association commemorated the 24th anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan's death on Sunday.  

“Thileepan Anna is a symbol of peace and determination. Never in the history of the world has there been iconic figure like Thileepan Anna. As an aspiring doctor he had given up his dreams so that our people of Tamileelam can live in peace, dignity and honour,” said TYO spokesperson Priyanth Nallaratnam.

The event was marked by cultural performances, dramas, speeches, and poems performed by Canadian university and high school students.

Delhi court halts deportation for fear of genocide

A magistrate court in India last week declined to deport a Tamil to Sri Lanka, as there was concern that he may become a victim of genocide if he was to return to the island.

Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate, Arul Varma ruled that,
“by deporting the convict herein, there is every apprehension that he will become a victim of genocide, and thus the State of India would have failed to live up to its commitment of preventing genocide under the convention.”

Rajapakse defiant against "alien cultures"

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Friday, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse attempted to deflect growing international pressure on Sri Lanka, labelling it “tainted”.

Rajapakse's speech comes as Sri Lanka faces increasing criticism for crimes committed as the Army completed its assault on the Vanni in May 2009.

See report by the AFP here.

Ban reiterates need for 'credible accountability' process

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon stressed the need for a "credible national accountablity process" in a meeting with Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday at the UN General Assembly.

Drawing attention to measures previously agreed upon in a joint statement with Rajapaksa in 2009, Ban reportedly "underlined the need to find a political solution to the underlying factors of the past conflict".

Indo-Lanka naval exercise ends amid protest

A large scale 5-day naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka ended Friday, as various Tamil groups registered their protest at India’s participation.

Paattali Makkal Katchi leader S Ramadoss said,
“When the whole of Tamil Nadu is demanding that India have no relations whatsoever with Sri Lanka, it is improper for the Indian Navy to engage itself in joint naval exercises with the same country”.