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…

Do not give Sri Lanka more time' urge Vavuniya families of disappeared

Families of the disappeared in Vavuniya this week urged member states at the UN Human Rights Council not to grant Sri Lanka more time to implement the co-sponsored 30/1 resolution. 

ICJ slams Sri Lanka’s plan to resume executions

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has criticised the Sri Lankan government’s announcement that it resume carrying out executions, calling it an “egregious violation” of international human rights law.

Earlier this week the United Kingdom and European Union reiterated their opposition to Sri Lanka's proposed implementation of the death penalty. 

EU keeps Sri Lanka on ‘dirty money’ blacklist

The European Union (EU) Commission announced that Sri Lanka has been kept on its blacklist of governments at risk of money laundering and terrorist financing this week.

Sri Lanka has been added to the list as a “high-risk” third country, which means the EU will not have to carry out additional checks on payments involving entities from the island.

US Coast guard trains Sri Lankan port officials on ‘protection against terrorism’

The United States Coast Guard has completed a program of training Sri Lankan port officials in Colombo this week, as relations between the two governments continue to grow, despite Sri Lanka’s history of rights abuses.

Rally in Jaffna for end to violence against women

A march took place in Jaffna on Thursday with demonstrators calling for an end to all forms of violence and aggression against women.

US Embassy renovates schools in East

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka inaugurated two school construction projects in Amparai and Trincomalee this week.

Sri Lanka Archaeology Dept denies authorising Buddha statue in Mullaitivu

The director of Sri Lanka’s archaeology department has denied in court that the department granted permission for a Buddhist shrine to be built in Mullaitivu, despite a Buddhist monk previously submitting documents purporting to show approval from the department.

Security tightened for Ranil's Jaffna visit

The Sri Lankan security forces have stepped up their presence in Jaffna, deploying extra officers and troops, ahead of the prime minister's three day visit today. 

EU stresses importance of 'further progress' on resolution

The European Union stressed the importance of human rights and reconciliation during the 22nd meeting of the Joint Commission between the EU and Sri Lanka, held in Brussels today, highlighting the need for "further progress" on the UN Human Rights Council resolution 30/1. 

Pakistan honours Sri Lankan officer involved in covering up murder of Tamils

Pakistan’s president has awarded the country’s highest military award to a Sri Lankan navy officer who is currently on bail over aiding a key suspect involved in the abduction and murder of 11 Tamil youths.