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…

Tamil woman sentenced over alleged involvement in Kollupitiya bomb

A Tamil woman, who was arrested and remanded in custody for 14 years over her alleged involvement in a LTTE bomb attack on Kollupitiya police station, was sentenced today for two years imprisonment suspended for 15 years. 

The sentencing of Selvakumari Sathyaleela was delivered by the High Court judge Vikum Kaluarachchi. 

Four Sri Lankan police officers were killed on 07 July 2004 when the Black Tiger, 26 year old Jayarani Thiyagarajah detonated a bomb strapped to her inside the police station. 

Corruption investigation should not cause unity government to fail says Sumanthiran

The TNA MP and party spokesperson, M A Sumanthiran on Sunday stressed the unity government was essential if the constitution making process was to proceed. 

His comments, which were made to reporters following a Thai Pongal celebration at the party office in Colombo, echoed that of TNA leader Mr Sampanthan. 

Mr Sumanthiran added that investigations in corruption should not cause the unity government to end. 

Over 40K war displaced yet to go home in Sri Lanka - JDS

Over 40,000 people in the North-East displaced by the armed conflict remain displaced over eight years on, Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka reported on Tuesday. 

"During its three year period in office the government has resettled only 3,996 people," JDS noted. 

"The ministry of resettlement and rehabilitation says that 40,938 members of 12,674 internally displaced families have not been resettled by the end of October 2017."

Read more here

Sri Lankan navy arrests 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen, confiscates 4 trawlers

Sri Lankan navy personnel arrested 16 Tamil Nadu fishermen and pounded four fishing trawlers on Monday for allegedly poaching in the island's waters. 

Pakistan Army Chief visiting Sri Lanka

The Pakistani Army Chief is visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Sri Lankan Army Commander.

According to FT.lk, the chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa will also call on the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister to “discuss issues of regional security and matters of mutual interest.”

Sri Lanka President says he spent the last three years winning over the international community

The Sri Lankan President told his supporters that he has spent the last three years of his tenure winning over the international community, according to dailynews.lk.

"The international community kept faith in me and 193 countries of the United Nations are good friends of Sri Lanka," President Maithripala Sirisena told supporters at an election rally in Hambantota.

Sri Lanka sought IMF advice on Central Bank restructure

Sri Lanka has sought advice from the International Monetary Fund to restructure the Central Bank according to the country’s deputy economic development minister.

A meeting took place in the backdrop of a Presidential Commission report into the Central Bank bond scam which rocked Sri Lankan politics last year, forcing the resignation of then foreign minister Ravi Karunanayake.

Deputy Minister Harsha de Silva said the advice was sought to restructure the Central Bank in keeping with global best practices, reports the Daily Mirror.

TGTE member refused entry into Sri Lanka

A member of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) was refused entry into Sri Lanka on January 11 after landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with his family, Ceylon Today reports. 

Suresnath Ratnabalam, who formerly held the title of 'TGTE MP' was stopped by immigration officials at passport control as he is reportedly on a blacklist. 

Mr Ratnabalam and his family were deported. They were placed on a Bangkok bound flight, the paper reported. 

Crowds in awe at Valvettithurai Thai Pongal kite show

Residents and kite enthusiasts gathered at Valvettithurai Uthayasooriyan coast on Sunday to enjoy the Thai Pongal kite competition. 

Sri Lankan election officials check candidates' backgrounds

Sri Lankan election officials are to check the backgrounds of candidates standing for election at the upcoming local government polls, the Sunday Times reports. 

The directive came from the Election Commission which ordered District Assistant Commissioners to check if candidates had criminal records and if any former public servants standing for election were adhering to election law.