Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Residents of Kepapilavu in Mullaitivu continued their protest for a ninth consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of 59.5 acres of ancestral residential land that they say remains under Sri Lankan military occupation. The protest, taking place in the Karaithuraipattu divisional area, is being led by families who have been unable to return to their original lands for more…

Sinhala students attack Tamil student in Vavuniya

A Tamil student was attacked by a group of Sinhala students at the University of Jaffna's Vavuniya campus this week, suffering injuries to his chest and face. 

The mob continued to taunt the victim as fellow Tamil students attempted to take him to hospital, saying, "you're LTTE aren't you? You should go to the army hospital". 

The attack happened after second year Sinhala students entered the dormitories of first year Tamil students and began ragging them. 

The victim remains admitted at Vavuniya hospital. 

Indian officials celebrate Republic Day in Jaffna

The Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka, celebrated Republic Day in Jaffna on Friday marking 69 years of independence. 

Point Pedro resident arrested in Rameswaram

A 32 year old man from Point Pedro was arrested this week in Rameswaram after he allegedly arrived by boat without valid travel documents, PTI reported. 

The man, C A Malan, was detained by the Indian coast guard after reaching Dhanushkodi in a fibre glass boat. 

Mr Malan was handed over to the Indian marine police for further investigation. 

Tamil Nadu urges Modi to take action against new Sri Lankan law

The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday urged the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to take action against a new law introduced by Sri Lanka which allows for the prolonged detention of Indian fishermen if they were found guilty of fishing in the island's waters. 

The new law has led to “widespread resentment and panic among the fishermen of Tamil Nadu, especially among those fishing in the Palk Bay,” Mr Edappadi wrote in a letter to Mr Modi, The Hindu reports. 

Sri Lankan president: yet to decide about contesting next election

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena said on Friday he had not decided about whether he would contest the next presidential election. 

"I have not decided whether to contest the next presidential elections or not," Mr Sirisena told journalists this morning

"Yet, I will continue to do politics as long as I am alive. I am a political animal. It is in my genes. I will do politics with or without positions," he was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying. 

TNA local candidate arrested for possession of fake ballot papers

A TNA local government candidate was arrested for possessing fake ballot papers by Kilinochchi police on Thursday.

The candidate standing to represent Paranthan at the Karaichchi divisional council (prathesiya sabai) was arrested on charges of possessing fake ballot papers as well as running a party office from a business premise.

The candidate was released after questioning by the police but the ballot papers in her possession were seized.

President of Indonesia meets TNA leader

The President of Indonesia met with the leader of the Tamil National Alliance on Wednesday.

TNA candidate says he was threatened by EPDP supporters

A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) candidate for the upcoming local government elections filed a complaint with the Election Commission today alleging he was threatened by EPDP supporters. 

Mr M Uthayasiri told the Commision he was stopped by 10 supporters of the paramilitary group whilst he was riding his motorbike in Jaffna, before he was forced into a building and threatened. 

He was rescued by police officers who were called to the scene. 

Mr Uthayasiri was critical of the police however, highlighting their failure to arrest those who abducted him. 
 

Sri Lankan navy arrest 8 Indian fishermen

Eight Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan navy personnel on Wednesday for allegedly poaching in the island's waters. 

The men were brought to the navy base in Kankesanthurai before being handed over to the assistant fisheries director of Jaffna. 

Their fishing trawlers were taken to the navy base in Karainagar. 

Navy intelligence officers threaten Tamils protesting against land grabs in Kayts

Residents in Kayts protesting on Thursday against the ongoing occupation of private land by the Sri Lankan navy were threatened by the navy's intelligence officers warning them to stop the protest.