Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay to provide the Criminal Investigation Department with the passwords to his mobile phone and computer as part of the ongoing investigation into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The order was issued on Wednesday by Colombo Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena, while Sallay…

Tamil asylum seeker murdered by Canadian ‘serial killer’

 A Tamil asylum seeker who fled Sri Lanka to seek safety in Canada has been found killed, reportedly murdered by an alleged serial killer in Toronto.

Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam arrived in Canada in 2010, one of 492 Tamils aboard the MV Sun Sea, a dilapidated vessel that docked into British Columbia.

Canadian police announced that Mr Kanagaratnam was probably killed by accused serial killer Bruce McArthur sometime between early September and mid December 2015.

Yet the 37 year old was never reported missing. Police said an  undisclosed international agency ultimately helped identify him from his remains.

Police Scotland defends training contract with Sri Lanka

Photograph: Yardstick Films

Police Scotland has come out in defence of a contract with the Sri Lanka, which included training of Sri Lanka’s notorious Special Task Force, despite continued concerns over the use of torture by security forces.

In response to a freedom of information request submitted by The Ferret, Superintendent Shaun McKillop, head of Police Scotland’s International Development and Innovation Unit, defended the relationship with Sri Lankan security forces, that has reportedly stretched back to nearly 10 years.

Reginald Cooray reappointed as Northern Province governor instead of proposed transfer to Kandy

Reginald Cooray has been reappointed as Governor of the Northern Province, instead of being transferred to a different province as was previously announced by the Sri Lankan government.

Tamil man employed in Colombo reported missing

A Tamil man working in Colombo has been reported missing after failing to return home to Kilinochchi over the new year holiday period.

46-year-old Velayutham Vikneswaran who works at a private company in Colombo was reported by his employers to have last been seen at work on April 11.

Petition for release of widowed Tamil political prisoner with young children sent to Sri Lankan President with 300,000 signatures

A petition calling for the release of a Tamil political prisoner who's wife died recently leaving two young children alone has gained 300,000 signatures and has been sent to the Sri Lankan President.

Campaigns for the release of Anantha Suthaharan gained traction across the North-East last month after photographs of emotional scenes from his wife's funeral went viral on social media.

The Ceylon Tamil Teacher's Union sent off their petition with 300,000 signatures from students, teachers and community members across the North.

‘Disappeared persons are in Sri Lankan detention camps’ claims released Tamil man

A Tamil man who spent almost 9 years in a Sri Lankan prison claimed that many Tamil youths who were forcibly disappeared remain in Sri Lankan custody.

Navaratnam Nishanthan, who was released from Boosa prison in December, told reporters in Vavuniya that during his time in custody, he saw many others Tamils held at the detention centre.

The 31 year old was arrested on April 26 2009 and held for almost 9 years. He was acquitted of all charges and released in December.

Iranian delegation to discuss Syria with Sri Lanka

A delegation from Iran, headed by the Iranian speaker of parliament, will arrive in Sri Lanka this week to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria, according to reports.

Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani  told reporters that the trip to Asia, where the delegation will visit Vietnam and Sri Lanka, will discuss the conflict amongst other talks on bilateral co-operation.

"One of the key issues to be discussed with Vietnamese and Sri Lankan officials is the Syrian situation," said Mr Larijani.

Sri Lankan president lands in London and heads to Buddhist vihara

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena visited a Buddhist vihara in London, as the first official stop in his trip to the country.

US spending bill places strict conditions on Sri Lanka funding

The $1.3 trillion omnibus bill approved by the US Congress and signed off by President Donald Trump last month includes conditions on the funding available to Sri Lanka for the rest of the financial year 2018, including establishing a justice mechanism, addressing the plight of the disappeared, de-militarisation of the North-East and addressing the impunity of Sri Lankan peacekeepers involved in sexual abuse.

Police brutality in Mullaitivu hospitalises Tamil man

A Tamil man has been hospitalised after being beaten by police in Mullaitivu, causing tension between police and locals in the Keppapulavu-Kalliyadi area.

30-year-old Kamalathas Mariyanayagam was handcuffed and beaten by police on the street in Puthukudiyiruppu. He was reportedly kept in handcuffs when taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police alleged that he had provided information to sand smugglers about police activities.

Locals were angered by the brutality, accusing the police of beating an innocent man while being hand in glove with actual sand smugglers and earning lucrative bribes by ignoring and even protecting the illicit activities.