Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A controversial cricket stadium and "sports city" promised for Jaffna, launched with presidential fanfare less than a year ago, is being scaled back to a modest cricket ground after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) admitted it lacks the funds to deliver it. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, the SLC honorary secretary, Prakash Schaffter, said the project was under review and its scope being…

Father hacked to death in Kilinochchi

A father of one was found hacked to death near the Dharmapuram reservoir, Kilinochchi. 

Batticaloa residents condemn PTA and CTA

Locals in Batticaloa yesterday held a demonstration condemning Sri Lanka's current anti-terror legislation, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA). 

India to help build tech park in Jaffna

India has agreed to provide a grant of around $1.4 million USD to build an information technology park in Jaffna.

Demilitarisation crucial for development says ITAK leader

Demilitarisation is crucial for economic development in the Northern Province, a senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP has said.

Speaking at a Sri Lankan finance ministry forum on economic development in the North, TNA MP and ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah called for releasing military-occupied land to help revive agriculture and create jobs.

The parliamentarian pointed out that the Vaddakkachchi farm in Kilinochchi formerly employed 600 people but was currently still under military occupation.

Amnesty urges SL president to halt executions

Amnesty International have urged the Sri Lankan president to halt plans to execute at least 13 people for drug-related crimes.

In an open letter published on Friday, Amnesty’s Secretary General Kumi Naidoo warned President Maithripala Sirisena against pursuing a path similar to that in the Philippines stating that there has been “a horrific wave of extrajudicial executions of suspected drug offenders over the past three years [in the Philippines]”.

Former Sri Lankan commanders deny war crimes and slam arrests of soldiers

A group of former Sri Lankan commanders denied that the military committed war crimes and slammed the government for reportedly arresting soldiers whenever the island is discussed at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Sri Lankan ministers visit jailed extremist monk

Sri Lankan government ministers paid a trip to a prison in Colombo this week, where they called on the jailed leader of the extremist Sinhala hate group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

UNP member and finance minister Ravi Karunanayake, minister of languages Mano Ganesan and current governor of the Western Province Azath Salley all visited Welikada prison on Thursday to meet with the monk.

Tamils continue to be tortured in Sri Lanka, finds new report

A report by the London-based charity Freedom From Torture has found Tamils continue to be tortured by Sri Lankan security forces despite assurances from Colombo that the practice would be halted, stating that the government “continues to flout its own promises”.

Sub Inspector arrested over abduction and murder of businessmen

A Sub Inspector of the Sri Lankan police was arrested today over the abduction and murder of two businessmen in Rathgama. 

Navy sailor arrested over abduction and murder of Tamil youths

A Sri Lankan navy sailor from the Kankesanthurai base was arrested today by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for his involvement in the abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil youths between 2008 and 2009.