Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

As nearly 300 monks face abuse claims, a prelate cries defamation
The Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, one of Sri Lanka's most senior Buddhist authorities, has called on all the major Buddhist traditions, including the Theravada, Mahayana and Thanthirayana, to unite in safeguarding the "purity and dignity" of the Buddhist Sasana, amid what he described as mounting challenges facing the clergy. His appeal comes as the Sinhala Buddhist establishment…

Unidentified persons shoot dead social service worker in Batticaloa

May 26, 2015
A group of unidentified persons on motorcycles shot and killed a social service worker in Batticaloa, reports the Uthayan.

Sachithanantham Mathidevan, a 46 year old worker at the Navithanveli Regional Secretariat Office was shot inside his house by the unidentified group. He died on the way to Kaluvanchikudi Hospital, where his body is currently being held.

The police are reportedly investigating the incident.

Petition handed to Sri Lankan president demands immediate release of Jaffna students

May 26, 2015

The chief minister of the Northern Province, members of parliament, school students and teachers jointly presented a petition to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, calling for the immediate release of students who were arrested in Jaffna earlier this month.

The petition, delivered to Mr Sirisena as he visited the Jaffna Vembadi women’s higher secondary school, contained the names of students arrested by Sri Lankan police for allegedly participating in a protest against the rape and murder of a Tamil schoolgirl.

Mr Sirisena told the audience that he “will take actions to investigate this matter soon” adding that those who were proven to be innocent would be released.

Sri Lankan minister warns against misusing media freedom

May 26, 2015
Sri Lanka’s finance minister warned journalists on the island from abusing the apparent environment of media freedom that he claimed was in place under the current government.

Daily Mirror said Ravi Karunanayake stated stories should not be written to fulfil “certain agendas” and quoted the minister as saying, “attacking us through the media is fine but they should not be used to harm the economy of the country". "Recently, there were several misleading articles published by media against the finance ministry," he added. 

The minister’s comments came at an event in Colombo hosted by the finance ministry and mass media and the information ministry, launching a programme to provide motorcycles and houses to journalists at subsidised prices.

USAID opens roof fabrication plant in Ampara

May 26, 2015

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) opened a roofing factory in Ampara on Wednesday.

USAID alongside a local company called Building Solutions have together invested approximately US $800,000 to build a factory to fabricate corrugated steel roofing and silos, said the US embassy in a statement.

BBS calls for ‘rules and regulations’ to encourage Sinhalese population growth

May 26, 2015
The general secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena said his organisation would put forward policies to ensure the growth of the Sinhalese population on the island.

Daily Mirror reported Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera as saying he had a “vision of making rules and regulations” as there were several areas of the island that had a lower population of Sinhalese people.

Stating that his organisation’s political party would be aiming for every Sinhala family on the island to vote for them, he further said laws would be put in place to ensure the growth of the Sinhalese.

India bans film on murdered Tamil journalist

May 25, 2015
India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has banned a film about murdered Tamil journalist Isaipriya, on grounds that it may damage relations with Sri Lanka, reports the Hindu.

Though a formal notice is yet to be issued, actor S V Shekar, the Regional Chairman of CBFC, said “certification of a movie cannot be given if it could strain friendly relations with a neighbouring country”.

Bodu Bala Sena chief arrested in Sri Lanka

May 25, 2015
The head of Buddhist nationalist organisation Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has been arrested in Sri Lanka, reports the Daily Mirror.

BBS chief secretary Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera had an arrest warrant issued for participating in a protest outside the bribery commission, which is currently investigating financial crimes committed by the previous government.

Sri Lankan army teaches Tamil women about ‘personal hygiene’

May 25, 2015

The Sri Lankan military hosted an event earlier this month to “educate” the women of Kilinochchi about personal hygiene, reports the Sri Lankan army.

Some 200 women were “educated on ‘Personal Hygiene’” earlier this month, according to the Sri Lankan army website.

Sirisena visits Jaffna after protests over school girl rape

May 25, 2015
2nd lead
Photograph Tamil Guardian


The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena visted Jaffna on Monday following last week's protests over the rape and murder of a school girl in Pungudutivu.

Wigneswaran tells Sri Lankan president North's needs are greatest

May 25, 2015
The chief minister of the northern province, C V Wigneswaran told the Sri Lankan president on Tuesday that the north had much greater needs than the rest of the island and therefore much more financial resources should be allocated to it compared to other provinces.

Mr Wigneswaran asked the president, Maithripala Sirisena, this whilst he visited Jaffna on Tuesday following sustained protests over the rape and murder of school girl in Pungudutivu.

The development needs of the north were three to four times greater, Mr Wigneswaran added.

Petition handed to Sri Lankan president demands immediate release of Jaffna students
Sri Lankan minister warns against misusing media freedom
USAID opens roof fabrication plant in Ampara
BBS calls for ‘rules and regulations’ to encourage Sinhalese population growth
India bans film on murdered Tamil journalist
Bodu Bala Sena chief arrested in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan army teaches Tamil women about ‘personal hygiene’
Sirisena visits Jaffna after protests over school girl rape
Wigneswaran tells Sri Lankan president North's needs are greatest
Family of Vithiya face ongoing harrassment
Petition handed to Sri Lankan president demands immediate release of Jaffna students
Sri Lankan minister warns against misusing media freedom
USAID opens roof fabrication plant in Ampara
BBS calls for ‘rules and regulations’ to encourage Sinhalese population growth
India bans film on murdered Tamil journalist
Bodu Bala Sena chief arrested in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan army teaches Tamil women about ‘personal hygiene’
Sirisena visits Jaffna after protests over school girl rape
Wigneswaran tells Sri Lankan president North's needs are greatest
Family of Vithiya face ongoing harrassment