Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Vavuniya High Court freezes governor's removal of mayor
The Vavuniya High Court has issued an interim order suspending the gazette through which the Northern Province governor removed the Vavuniya mayor, S. Kandeepan, from office, freezing the decision that had triggered protests across the town. The order was made on Friday, when the court took up a writ application filed by Kandeepan challenging the governor's move. Speaking to reporters…

Sinhalese and Tamil students clash at Jaffna University

Jul 16, 2016

Updated 1230 GMT

A Sinhalese student brandishes a log towards a group of Tamil students as violence broke out at Jaffna University on Saturday.

Sinhalese students at the Jaffna University clashed with Tamil students earlier on Saturday, as violence erupted over the use of a Kandyan dance from the south of the island at a traditional orientation programme.

India to develop Palaly airport

Jul 16, 2016

The Airport Authority of India (AAI)  is carrying out a feasibility study of the airport in Palaly, on the Jaffna peninsula, in order for it to be developed as a regional airport, The Sunday Times reported.

India has previously supported development of the air base, including the reconstruction of the runway.

Currently the facility is operated by the Sri Lankan Air Force and used for military and civilian in-country flights.

Tamils in North-East demand federal constitution says government consultation official

Jul 16, 2016
Ninety five percent of Tamils in the North-East have asked for a federal constitution in Sri Lanka, said a member of the government’s Public Representations Committee (PRC).

The PRC chairman Lal Wijenayake, initially said that most Tamils did not want a federal solution. Refuting the claims made by the chairman, S Thavarasa, a member of the PRC committee, said he could produce documentary proof to show Tamils in the North-East demanded federalism.

“I have copies of all the submissions,” he told press on Saturday.

Jaffna Uni Teachers Assoc condemns student clashes

Jul 16, 2016
The Jaffna Uni Teachers Association condemned the clashes between Tamil and Sinhalese students over the attempt by Sinhala students to push a Kandyan dance act into a university welcome event.

“We unequivocally condemn all the students who were involved in this clash. We would like to assure the people of the country that we will take every necessary step to protect the cultural rights of each student community at our university and bring about unity among the different student groups,” the JUTA secretary, S Sivakanthan was quoted by Colombo Telegraph as saying in a statement today.

The Jaffna University Science Teachers' Union (JUSTA) said:
“Some unwanted incidents related to the freshers’ welcome party led to violent clashes among the Students today. Some students were injured and are being treated in the hospital. As a result, the Science Faculty is closed to the students and all the students are returning to their homes."

Sri Lankan navy deny attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen

Jul 16, 2016
The Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday denied attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen on Saturday night, accusing the fishermen of making "such false allegations on a regular basis".

The Indian Fishermen's Association accused the navy of attacking four fishermen off by the Kachchathivu island last night.

“The navy personnel took away their cell phones and GPS equipment and also damaged the nets of 10 other boats,” the association's leader, R Sesuraja told India's media.

Sri Lankan navy is escalating abduction of Tamil Nadu fishermen - Jaya

Jul 16, 2016
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa on Saturday accused the Sri Lankan navy of escalating abductions of Indian fishermen.

In her latest letter to Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on the issue, the chief minister J Jayalalithaa said:
“The Sri Lankan government continues to infringe upon the historically enjoyed rights of our fishermen to fish in the traditional waters of the Palk Bay.”

Sri Lankan army fortifies camps in Jaffna HSZ

Jul 16, 2016

The Sri Lankan army has been constructing concrete pillars around military bases located within a High Security Zone in Jaffna, with fears the camps could become permanently situated within the North-East.

The military was seen engaging in construction work around the border of the Valikaamam North High Security Zone. The military had recently released 201 acres of land in the area after 26 years of occupation.

However, a vast bordering region remains occupied by the military. Whilst temporary fences still exist across areas that have been released, the recent fixation of permanent concrete fences has increased fears the army will be a permanent presence in Jaffna.

‘There are no tribunals’ says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister

Jul 16, 2016
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera declared tribunals would not be taking place in a soon to be declared accountability mechanism, and that instead the government would be investigating “allegations of war crimes”.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer Mr Samaraweera also said his government would have to accommodate Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena’s opposition to international judges.

“Between these two positions of having foreign judges and not having them, there are many acceptable options which can be explored and finalised,” he said.
However, he went on to add that tribunals would not be taking place and instead the accountability mechanism will “investigate” if war crimes had taken place.

“There are no tribunals. There are allegations of war crimes, the mechanisms are to make a credible investigation if those allegations are true,” he said. “If the allegations are not true then we will say it, but we are not going to shoot the messenger like the previous government.”

Cabinet approves military participation in national development organisation

Jul 15, 2016

Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a national development organisation which will include the military.

Co-Cabinet spokesperson Minister Gayantha Karunathilake said the knowledge and resources of the tri-forces could be used in nation building, the Daily Mirror reported.

Mullaitivu farmers want army to release agricultural tanks

Jul 15, 2016
Farmers in Mullaitivu have urged the Sri Lankan government to push the army to release agricultural tanks currently under its occupation, Ceylon Today reported.

The demand comes after requests to date have proved futile, with no action taken.

“Southern fishermen are poaching in our waters," the farmers were quoted by the newspaper as saying.

"Ancient lands of farmers have been occupied under the Mahaweli Zone. This had now extended up to the borders of our ancient lands. Thousands of acres of prime land have been taken over such as the Kent and Dollar farms,”  the farmers added.

India to develop Palaly airport
Tamils in North-East demand federal constitution says government consultation official
Jaffna Uni Teachers Assoc condemns student clashes
Sri Lankan navy deny attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen
Sri Lankan navy is escalating abduction of Tamil Nadu fishermen - Jaya
Sri Lankan army fortifies camps in Jaffna HSZ
‘There are no tribunals’ says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister
Cabinet approves military participation in national development organisation
Mullaitivu farmers want army to release agricultural tanks
Kilinochchi IDPs demand land back from Sri Lankan military
India to develop Palaly airport
Tamils in North-East demand federal constitution says government consultation official
Jaffna Uni Teachers Assoc condemns student clashes
Sri Lankan navy deny attacking Tamil Nadu fishermen
Sri Lankan navy is escalating abduction of Tamil Nadu fishermen - Jaya
Sri Lankan army fortifies camps in Jaffna HSZ
‘There are no tribunals’ says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister
Cabinet approves military participation in national development organisation
Mullaitivu farmers want army to release agricultural tanks
Kilinochchi IDPs demand land back from Sri Lankan military