Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Protest in Vavuniya over encroachment on a vital irrigation tank
Farmers and residents staged a protest in Vavuniya on Monday, alleging that the encroachment and development of the water catchment area of Kovilkulam pose a serious threat to the tank’s natural water inflow and the livelihoods dependent on it. The demonstration began in front of the Kudiyiruppu Pillaiyar Temple and proceeded in a march to the Vavuniya District Secretariat, where protesters…

Sri Lankan army denies torture camp in Vali North

Jan 2, 2016
The Sri Lankan army on Sunday rejected reports of a military run torture camp in Valikamam North.

"The army did not run torture camps or secret detention camps," the Sri Lankan military's media spokesperson said.

"We had no need to run torture camps," he added.

Sirisena promises all IDPs land within 6 months

Jan 2, 2016
The Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena promised to provide land to all internally displaced persons in camps within the six months.

"This is an unacceptable situation. I want to end this problem once and for all," Mr Sirisena told AFP in an interview.

"For many people the main issue was lack of land and that is something we will resolve in the next six months," he added.

"It is an ambitious target, but I will see that all the internally displaced people are given land to build homes."

See more here.

Tamil People's Council to draft solution for ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka

Jan 2, 2016
The Tamil People’s Council formed in Jaffna last month will submit a proposal to the ethnic conflict by the end of January, reports Colombo Page.

Member of the Tamil national Alliance (TNA) Suresh Premachandran who forms a part of the Council, said, the proposal will be presented to the residents of the North and East for feedback by the end of January.

Wigneswaran clarifies Tamil People's Council motives (28 Dec 2015)

Over 100k Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka remain in Tamil Nadu

Jan 2, 2016
Over 100,000 Tamil refugees from the North-East of Sir Lanka remain in Tamil Nadu 6 and a half years after the armed conflict between the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan government reports the Hindu.

The Treasurer of the Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR) in Tamil Nadu, speaking to the Hindu, said,

“The government of India should come with a generous package to supplement the efforts of Sri Lankan government in facilitating the return of the refugees.”

New Year prayers in Jaffna for political prisoners and IDPs

Jan 1, 2016


Prayers were said in Jaffna for the released of political prisoners, the return of IDPs to their homes and for ongoing sufferings of the Tamil people to be alleviated on Friday as the new year dawned.

10th anniversary of 'Trinco 5' killings, still no justice

Jan 1, 2016

Photograph Tamilnet

Today marks the 10 years since the murder of five Tamil students, committed by Sri Lanka's Special Task Force, whilst they spent an afternoon on the beach in Trincomalee.

A memorial service was held in Trinco to remember the students that were killed by Sri Lanka's special forces.

Speaking at the event, the Trinco-based rights activist Jathindra called on the people to be proactive in their struggle for justice. Such memorial events should not only be for remembrance but also to unify Tamils in their actions, he said.

Sri Lanka's Navy pledges to 'preserve hard-won peace' in New Year

Jan 1, 2016
Sri Lanka’s Navy pledged to ‘preserve’ the ‘hard-won peace’ on the island, reports Colombo Page.

In a New Year address to Navy personnel, the Commander of the Navy Ravindra Wijegunaratne, called on all Navy personnel to perform their duties and extend their assistance to the development of the country.

Former Sri Lanka Navy commander admits having knowledge of underground torture cells  (22 Nov 2015)

Sri Lanka Army Commander reiterates commitment to national security on New Year's day

Dec 31, 2015
The commander of Sri Lanka’s Army Lieutenant General Crishante De Silva said the army’s primary commitment was to ensure national security in a New Years Message.

Speaking to the army on New Year’s day Mr De Silva said,

700 acres in Vali North returned after 25 year army occupation

Dec 31, 2015

Some 700 acres of land in Valikamam North, which has been under army occupation for over 25 years, was released to owners on Tuesday.

Lands from the High Security Zone were released to owners, including the remainder of army-held land in Valalai, completely freeing the village of army occupation.

Enormous task of solving 'national question' and 'reconciliation' says TNA leader

Dec 31, 2015
The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan stressed that there was an “enormous task of achieving a meaningful solution to the national question, beneficial development and lasting peace and reconciliation."

Calling on the citizens of Sri Lanka to give their fullest support Mr Sampanthan added,

“It is through solidarity that we can build a prosperous country while acknowledging ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and other unique features of each community.

Full text reproduced below.
Sirisena promises all IDPs land within 6 months
Tamil People's Council to draft solution for ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka
Over 100k Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka remain in Tamil Nadu
New Year prayers in Jaffna for political prisoners and IDPs
10th anniversary of 'Trinco 5' killings, still no justice
Sri Lanka's Navy pledges to 'preserve hard-won peace' in New Year
Sri Lanka Army Commander reiterates commitment to national security on New Year's day
700 acres in Vali North returned after 25 year army occupation
Enormous task of solving 'national question' and 'reconciliation' says TNA leader
Sri Lanka's PM lauds 'triumph over adversity'
Sirisena promises all IDPs land within 6 months
Tamil People's Council to draft solution for ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka
Over 100k Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka remain in Tamil Nadu
New Year prayers in Jaffna for political prisoners and IDPs
10th anniversary of 'Trinco 5' killings, still no justice
Sri Lanka's Navy pledges to 'preserve hard-won peace' in New Year
Sri Lanka Army Commander reiterates commitment to national security on New Year's day
700 acres in Vali North returned after 25 year army occupation
Enormous task of solving 'national question' and 'reconciliation' says TNA leader
Sri Lanka's PM lauds 'triumph over adversity'