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…

Troops besiege Uthayan office in Jaffna

May 17, 2014
Updated 09:47 BST (adds photograph)

Photograph Uthayan


Sri Lankan army troops have surrounded the Uthayan office in Jaffna with staff trapped inside.

 "Round up at @UthayanPrint situation critical," the newspaper's official twitter handle, tweeted shortly after 1.30pm

Over 50 armed soldiers surrounded the building, and some soldiers are currently trying to enter the offices, a source told Tamil Guardian from inside the building.

TNPF office blocked off by army

May 17, 2014
09:43 BST
Photograph @Uthayarasashali


Sri Lankan army soldiers surrounded the offices of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) ahead of the party's planned remembrance event for those that died at the end of the armed conflict.

Nallur temple surrounded by troops

May 17, 2014
10:27 GMT
Photograph @mayurappriyan

Heavily armed troops have surrounded Nallur temple, in Jaffna, since this morning.

Over 100 soldiers, wearing helmets, are stationed in the temple area, with over 50 soldiers by the entrance.

Military vehicles are parked along the roads leading up to the temple entrance. The tolling of temple bells has been prohibited.

Access to TNA office blocked by army

May 17, 2014

10:29 BST

Armed troops have blocked roads leading up to the TNA office on Martin Road in Jaffna around 1pm local time.

People attempting to enter the office were turned away by soldiers, a source within the TNA, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tamil Guardian.


Sri Lankan president hails reclamation of land at 'Victory Day' celebrations

May 17, 2014
The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, celebrated the reclamation of Sri Lankan land at a military 'Victory Day' parade in the southern town of Matara today.

The Sri Lankan government today held ‘Victory Day’ celebrations  with a parade of 3,734 army, 1,189 navy, 1,100 air-force, 643 police and 578 civil defence personnel walked through the southern town of Matara, reports Colombo Page.

Bus travelling to Jaffna attacked by Sinhalese mob

May 17, 2014
A bus, taking people from the eastern district of Ampara to Jaffna, was attacked by a Sinhalese mob yesterday evening reports the Uthayan.

A group of 25 Sinhalese attacked the passengers travelling to Jaffna, after surrounding the bus when it stopped for service. One passenger was severely injured, whilst others had minor injuries reported the Uthayan.

Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army

May 17, 2014
The military has blocked off access to the blood donation centre at Jaffna teaching hospital in an attempt to stop people from donating blood as an act of remembrance for those that died in Mullivaikkal in 2009, the Uthayan, reported.

Earlier this month, students at the University of Jaffna, which was ordered closed around the time of May 18, donated blood in the memory of the dead.


Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna

May 17, 2014
11:25 BST

Armed troops have surrounded the Jaffna office of the Thinakkural newspaper, one of the paper's journalists tweeted within the past hour.

The incident comes amidst heavy military presence outside the Uthayan newspaper's office earlier today, with over 50 armed soldiers surrounding the building.

 

Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa

May 17, 2014
Photo: uthayan

A Mullivaikal remembrance event for those that died was carried out amidst military intimidation in the TNA’s office in Batticaloa, reports Uthayan.

Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai

May 17, 2014

The Sri Lankan military has restricted access to Keerimalai, blocking Tamils from entering the town on the Jaffna peninsula, famous for its temple.

Events to commemorate the 5 year anniversary of Mullivaikkal at the temple were cancelled as the army blocked all main roads leading to the town, reported GTN.

TNPF office blocked off by army
Nallur temple surrounded by troops
Access to TNA office blocked by army
Sri Lankan president hails reclamation of land at 'Victory Day' celebrations
Bus travelling to Jaffna attacked by Sinhalese mob
Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army
Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna
Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai
Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran
TNPF office blocked off by army
Nallur temple surrounded by troops
Access to TNA office blocked by army
Sri Lankan president hails reclamation of land at 'Victory Day' celebrations
Bus travelling to Jaffna attacked by Sinhalese mob
Jaffna blood donation centre blocked off by army
Troops outside Thinakkural newspaper office in Jaffna
Mullivaikal massacres remembered in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan military restricts access to Keerimalai
Profiles of May 2009: Ainkaran