Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamil residents intervene to block Sri Lankan military land grab in Maruthankerni
Tamil residents, landowners and activists in Maruthankerni have halted a land survey linked to an attempted acquisition reportedly for Sri Lankan military purposes in Vadamaradchi East. The move, which took place in the Maruthankerni area of the Jaffna district, drew strong opposition from the landowner and local residents, who warned that handing land to the Sri Lankan military could lead to…

Sri Lanka blames ‘international conspiracy’ for SLMC defection

Dec 27, 2014

The Sri Lankan government has stated it fears the latest defection from the ruling alliance by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) is part of an international conspiracy to divide the country.

The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Susil Premajayantha stated that in negotiations the SLMC had demanded a separate Muslim administrative district.

Tamils in Germany remember tsunami victims

Dec 26, 2014
Aalen, Germany


Tamils in Germany held remembrance events on Friday in memory of victims of the tsunami that hit the North-East of the island of Sri Lanka, and across South Asia, 10 years ago.

Events took place in Berlin, Aalen, and Essen where Tamils gathered by the newly erected Mullivaikkal memorial.

CID investigates alleged Maithripala-Ranil pact

Dec 26, 2014
Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating allegations of a secret pact between the common opposition's presidential candidate for the election next month, Maithripala Sirisena and the leader of the United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickremasinghe.

Both men have had their statements recorded on Thursday, the Island newspaper quoted the police spokesperson, Ajith Rohana as saying.

The allegation was made by the former General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake, who crossed over earlier this month to join the government and has since been appointed as minister of health.

Special Task Force deployed amidst violence against Chandrika Kumaratunga

Dec 26, 2014
The police Special Task Force (STF) has been deployed in regions of Sri Lanka following clashes between opposition and government supporters on Friday night.

Government supporters arrived at an opposition election rally and attacked vehicles of opposition members, including that of the former president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, reports the Colombo Gazette.
 
Clashes occurred after a rally was held in Beruwala in support of the common opposition presidential candidate, Maithripala Sirisena.

Displacement and deaths as heavy rains and flooding continue in East

Dec 25, 2014
Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre has reported rising displacement in the Eastern Province amid ongoing heavy rains and flooding in Batticaloa, Amparai, Mannar and Trincomalee.

The Centre stated on Thursday that it was facing significant difficulties in sheltering those affected by the floods and providing them with temporary accommodation.

In Mannar, 8,979 people including 2,434 families have been displaced, reported the Jaffna based newspaper Uthayan. Thirty-nine temporary welfare centres have been set up.

The water level in Kattukarai lake in Mannar has risen by 12.5 feet.

TNA calls on government to assist flood victims in East

Dec 25, 2014
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called on the government to help families in the Eastern Province affected by the floods and heavy rains over recent days.

"According to the government’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) over 660,000 people have already been affected as a result of flooding – with over 80,000 displaced - and the number of victims continues to rise as rains persist," the TNA said in a statement on Friday.

"The DMC also notes that only nine percent of those affected are now in safe locations. Two-thirds of those affected are in the Batticaloa district – which was also devastated by the Tsunami ten years ago."

TNPF appeals for humanitarian relief for flood victims in Trinco, Batticaloa, Amparai

Dec 25, 2014
The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) made an urgent appeal for humanitarian relief for the thousands displaced by extensive flooding and heavy rains across the East.

"Thousands of people have been affected in many parts of Sri Lanka by the heavy rains in the last few weeks. Particularly, in the southern Tamil Eelam districts of Tricomalee, Batticaloa and Amparai, thousands of people have left their lands and sought refuge in public places due to the heavy rainfall," the TNPF said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The people of Sampoor, in Trincomalee who have been denied resettlement after displacement from their lands since 2006 due to the war and are now living in displacement camps in Muthur have been largely affected."

Jaffna University lecturers forced to endorse Rajapapksa

Dec 25, 2014

Lecturers at Jaffna University have condemned attempts to force them to sign a letter to incumbent Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, wishing him success at the upcoming presidential elections.

The lecturers filed a complaint at the Jaffna District Elections Commissions after refusing to sign the letter, which was sent to all faculties at the university, reports Uthayan.

Modi's social media team linked with Rajapaksa election campaign

Dec 25, 2014
An expert behind the Indian prime minister’s social media campaign will aid the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-election campaign, reports the Hindu.

Arvind Gupta, one of the chief architects behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media campaign during the Indian elections, has offered assistance to the Rajapaksa, according to highly placed sources in Colombo.

Gupta reportedly visited Colombo in November, an official source in New Delhi told the Hindu.

North-East remembers victims of 2004 tsunami

Dec 25, 2014


Events were held across the North-East today marking the 10 year anniversary of the tsunami, which left thousands dead as it swept across the coast.

At churches, temples and public memorials, Tamils gathered to remember those who had perished.

Tamils in Germany remember tsunami victims
CID investigates alleged Maithripala-Ranil pact
Special Task Force deployed amidst violence against Chandrika Kumaratunga
Displacement and deaths as heavy rains and flooding continue in East
TNA calls on government to assist flood victims in East
TNPF appeals for humanitarian relief for flood victims in Trinco, Batticaloa, Amparai
Jaffna University lecturers forced to endorse Rajapapksa
Modi's social media team linked with Rajapaksa election campaign
North-East remembers victims of 2004 tsunami
Canadian Tamils remember Boxing Day tsunami
Tamils in Germany remember tsunami victims
CID investigates alleged Maithripala-Ranil pact
Special Task Force deployed amidst violence against Chandrika Kumaratunga
Displacement and deaths as heavy rains and flooding continue in East
TNA calls on government to assist flood victims in East
TNPF appeals for humanitarian relief for flood victims in Trinco, Batticaloa, Amparai
Jaffna University lecturers forced to endorse Rajapapksa
Modi's social media team linked with Rajapaksa election campaign
North-East remembers victims of 2004 tsunami
Canadian Tamils remember Boxing Day tsunami