Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The dark comedy genre has been in vogue in the Tamil industry for a while now. Producer turned first time director Harish Durairaj initiates his filmography with the crime-comedy ‘Con City’ starring Arjun Das, Anna Ben, Yogi Babu and Vadivukkarasi as a motley crew family unit of scammers. The film is a family entertainer full of twists and turns which is an enjoyable experience overall. …

11 arrested in Point Pedro

Eleven people were arrested this week in Point Pedro by police, including two Tamil business owners and 9 Muslim men. 

Jaffna uni students and canteen owner released on bail

Two Jaffna University student union leaders and a campus hospitality worker, arrested earlier this month under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), were yesterday released on bail. 

Tamil parties call on Tamils to gather at Mullivaikkal memorial

The leader of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Mavai Senathirajah, the former chief minister, C V Wigneswaran and the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) called on Tamils to gather tomorrow at the May 2009 remembrance event in Mullivaikkal in memory of those who were massacred. 

British opposition leaders commit to justice, accountability and Tamil self-determination

A future Labour government would be committed to the causes of achieving justice and accountability for the Tamil people, as well as recognising their right to self-determination, the party’s leading figures said this week at an event marking the tenth anniversary of Mullivaikkal in Parliament.

“This is a sad occasion because we are commemorating the tenth anniversary of that terrible massacre,” said Labour leader and Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn MP.

UK ban of LTTE to be challenged in special tribunal

<p>The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) has challenged the banning of the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the UK, citing that is being used to crack down political work of Tamils.</p> <p>In a petition to the British Home Secretary, TGTE members said that the ban on the LTTE is being misperceived as a ban on advocacy for a sovereign state of Tamil Eelam.</p> <p>Over the past ten years, there have been no violent activities carried out by the LTTE the statement added.</p>

Hard-line Buddhists behind organised anti-Muslim violence says SL minister

A Sri Lankan minister this week said hard-line Buddhists were behind the recent days of anti-Muslim violence, describing the attacks as "organised" and "systematic". 

"These are organised attacks on Muslim business houses and premises," Navin Dissanayake, minister of plantation industries, said at a press briefing yesterday. 

The attacks were organised and systematically carried out in several locations by people brought form outside, he added. 

"They were organised thugs that have been brought to the areas from other areas. We have evidence and we can prove this," he said. 

CPJ condemns reinstatement of Army Major accused of journalist murder

The Committee to Protect Journalists this week condemned Sri Lanka's decision to reinstate an Army Major accused of the assassination of the Sunday Leader editor, Lasantha Wickremetunge. 

Prabath Bulathwatte was arrested two years ago over a number of attacks against media workers and is currently on bail. However, the army commander last week announced he would be reinstated following the Easter sunday bombings by Islamist extremists. 

EU expresses concern over anti Muslim violence

European Union countries expressed concern yesterday anti-Muslim violence which has taken place in Sri Lanka this week. 

Jaffna Uni protest arrests of students and tea shop owner

Students at the University of Jaffna protested today against arrest of two student union leaders and a campus hospitality worker under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) earlier this month. 

Army says will investigate soldier who failed to act during mob attacks

As increasing eye witness reports and videos emerge of the collusion of Sri Lankan security forces with rioting Sinhala mobs responsible for the widespread anti-Muslim violence, the state's army has said it would be investigating the case of one soldier, accused of standing by whilst the mobs attacked.