Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Colombo does not need the Kfir — it needs Israel
The Sri Lanka Air Force's upgraded Kfir C12 during its first test flight at SLAF Base Katunayake on 11 June. Photograph: Sri Lanka Air Force On 11 June, the Sri Lanka Air Force conducted the first test flight of an upgraded Kfir C12 fighter at its Katunayake base, presenting the flight as a military milestone. The aircraft is one of five being rebuilt — four C2 and C7 jets plus a TC2 trainer…

Sri Lanka and Ukraine sign treaties regarding "judicial cooperation"

Jun 27, 2016
Sri Lanka and Ukraine signed three treaties on "judicial cooperation" during Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera's official visit to Ukraine this past weekend. The government of Sri Lanka's website reported that the treaties covered mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of sentenced prisoners, and extradition. 

During his visit Samaraweera spoke about "recent developments in Sri Lanka including measures taken by the Unity Government to achieve reconciliation and inclusive economic development, strengthen democracy, rule of law, and good governance including combatting corruption" alongside recent constitutional processes.

Sri Lankan army releases land but shows no sign of leaving North-East

Jun 27, 2016

Sri Lankan president pledges government will 'not in any way weaken' military

Jun 27, 2016

Sri Lanka’s president said that his government “would not in any way weaken” the armed forces and boasted of international support for the military, at a ceremony on Monday.

According to Sri Lanka’s official army website, the “President Maithripala Sirisena in his address to the occasion re-iterated that his government would not in any way weaken the forces, nor would it cut down their privileges or other benefits currently available to them”.

“He also told the gathering that as alleged by some quarters his government has not allowed any member of the armed forces to get demoralized or be humiliated,” the website continued.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence website quoted Mr Sirisena as saying soldiers had “sacrificed their lives, limbs and families to protect the race, sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of the country” and that “each drop of blood fallen from the war heroes were devoted towards the future and strength of the country in defeating ruthless terrorists”.

As losses pile up, Sri Lankan Airlines suspends flights Paris and Frankfurt

Jun 27, 2016

SriLankan Airlines announced that it will be suspending flights to Paris and Frankfurt as the carrier continues to make losses.

The airline said in a statement that the Sri Lankan government has made it clear that it will no longer fund continuing losses and that the “route network is being continuously evaluated in the context of changing market dynamics”.

The European market travelling with the airlines has reportedly dropped which has been “further exacerbated by the depreciation of the Euro against the Dollar”.

BBS leader threatens ‘second Aluthgama’

Jun 27, 2016
The leader of Sinhala Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Sena made threats that there would be a ‘second Aluthgama’ where Muslims were killed in riots by Sinhala nationalists, in a speech earlier this month, stated the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL).

In a letter addressed to the Sri Lankan police, the president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka, N. M. Ameen, called for urgent action to prevent any violence.

Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, the Buddhist monk that leads BBS, reportedly addressed a rally in Mahiyangana, threatening riots if Sri Lankan police sided with Muslims in the town.

Sri Lanka 'cannot backtrack' on foreign judges – Sumanthiran

Jun 27, 2016
Tamil National Alliance MP M A Sumanthiran stated that the Sri Lankan government “cannot backtrack” on implementing a UN resolution which will see foreign judges involved in a accountability mechanism.

“The TNA is very firm on an investigation with the involvement of the foreign legal luminaries,” said the parliamentarian in an interview to Ceylon Today.

Speaking on his meeting with the UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein, Mr Sumanthiran said “even the UNHRC Commissioner is firm on implementing whatever agreed upon by the Lankan Government in the resolution".

"So, the Lankan Government cannot backtrack from what it had agreed upon on accommodating the foreign legal luminaries.”

Unwarranted praise' will cause SL to further withdraw from commitments - TCSF

Jun 26, 2016

High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al Hussain should identify the "fundamental transgressions in the approach of the Government to the resolution", the Tamil Civil Society Forum said on Monday, days before the release of the high commissioner's oral report.

Victim confidence in Sri Lanka's ability to deliver on accountability and justice fading - NGOs at UNHRC

Jun 26, 2016
More to follow
"Initial hopes for accountability and justice are fading fast in the Tamil population," said Mr. Mario Arulthas, Advocacy Director for People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (P.E.A.R.L.) during an informal event at the 32nd Human Rights Council on Friday June 24th. The panel moderated by David Whaley (a former UN Resident Coordinator), also featured Ms. Nimalka Fernando (IMADR), Mr. Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon (Campaign for Free and Fair Elections, CaFFE), and Mr. Ruki Fernando (INFORM).

Tamil North-East leads island in taxes from intoxicants

Jun 26, 2016

The Sri Lankan government gains the most amount of tax from intoxicants from the Tamil North-East stated Maithripala Sirisena.

The Sri Lankan president said that the areas were the government collects the most tax was from Jaffna, Nuwara Eliya and Batticaloa respectively.

Alongside a rises in alcohol use, there has been an increase of illegal drug usage across the North-East, which civil society activists and politicians say has been contributing to the breakdown of the social fabric of the North-East.

Protestors in Jaffna demand accountability for the missing and release of land

Jun 26, 2016

Tamil protestors took to the streets of Jaffna today to demand the Sri Lankan government deliver accountability for their disappeared relatives, as well as release land that continues to be occupied by the military.

Sri Lankan army releases land but shows no sign of leaving North-East
Sri Lankan president pledges government will 'not in any way weaken' military
As losses pile up, Sri Lankan Airlines suspends flights Paris and Frankfurt
BBS leader threatens ‘second Aluthgama’
Sri Lanka 'cannot backtrack' on foreign judges – Sumanthiran
Unwarranted praise' will cause SL to further withdraw from commitments - TCSF
Victim confidence in Sri Lanka's ability to deliver on accountability and justice fading - NGOs at UNHRC
Tamil North-East leads island in taxes from intoxicants
Protestors in Jaffna demand accountability for the missing and release of land
Fonseka joins UNP, dissolves Democratic Party
Sri Lankan army releases land but shows no sign of leaving North-East
Sri Lankan president pledges government will 'not in any way weaken' military
As losses pile up, Sri Lankan Airlines suspends flights Paris and Frankfurt
BBS leader threatens ‘second Aluthgama’
Sri Lanka 'cannot backtrack' on foreign judges – Sumanthiran
Unwarranted praise' will cause SL to further withdraw from commitments - TCSF
Victim confidence in Sri Lanka's ability to deliver on accountability and justice fading - NGOs at UNHRC
Tamil North-East leads island in taxes from intoxicants
Protestors in Jaffna demand accountability for the missing and release of land
Fonseka joins UNP, dissolves Democratic Party