Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Northern Province Governor dismisses elected officials in two councils
The Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan, has removed two democratically elected local government representatives from office through Extraordinary Gazette notifications issued this week, invoking powers under Sri Lanka's local government legislation. In Gazette notifications dated 19 June 2026, the Governor dismissed Vavuniya Municipal Council Mayor Sundaralingam…

Sri Lanka to streamline processes to lure more African and Asian FDI

Apr 20, 2015

The Sri Lankan government has vowed to streamline processes to obtain investment permits, in order to lure more investments from Asia and Africa, according to The Jakarta Post.

Rajapaksa support rises as 100,000 left jobless by Sri Lanka's new government, says Gotobaya

Apr 20, 2015
Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has more support than he had in the presidential elections and should be elected as the prime minister to save the country, said the former defence secretary Gotobaya Rajapaksa, noting that 100,000 people had been rendered jobless since the new government was elected.  

Speaking in an interview with the New Indian Express, Gotobaya called on president Sirisena to call parliamentary elections and appoint Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister to “save the country.”

Accusing the new government of stalling economic progress and development, Gotobaya said,

“All economic development projects initiated by the Rajapaksa government have been brought to a standstill. In the construction sector alone, over 100,000 workers have been rendered jobless.”

Bribery Commission drops hearing of Rajapaksa after overnight protests

Apr 20, 2015
Sri Lanka’s government assured parliament that it would not call the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa in front of a bribery commission after MPs protested in parliament and Rajapaksa supporters protested outside.

MPs who protested in parliament overnight ended their protest on Tuesday, after the government it would not question Mahinda Rajapaksa over bribery allegations, reports Colombo Page.

Debate on 19A to Sri Lanka's constitution delayed

Apr 20, 2015
Sri Lanka’s parliament decided to delay the debate on implementation of the 19th Amendment after protests against summoning of Mahinda Rajakapsa to the bribery commission disrupted proceedings on Tuesday.

The 19th Amendment, which looks to curb the powers of executive presidency will be taken up for debate on the 27th of April and voted for on the 28th, reports Colombo Page.

The 19th Amendment to the constitution faced opposition from several MPs, with Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court ruling that parts of it would require a referendum in parliament to be passed.

DNA tests to be carried out on suspected killers of Tamil MP

Apr 20, 2015
The Sri Lankan police announced that blood samples collected from the suspected killers of TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj are to be sent for DNA testing, more than 8 years after the parliamentarian was gunned down in Colombo.

Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department (CID)  made the announcement, stating the the blood samples of Sri Lankan navy personnel suspected of carrying out the execution had been dispatched for testing.

It follows the arrest of three members of the navy, including two officers, for the November 2006 murder.

Sirisena to call general elections after implementation of 19A and 20A

Apr 19, 2015
The Sri Lankan President, confirmed that the next general parliamentary elections will be held after the 19th and 20th amendments to the constitution were implemented, reports Colombo Page.

Implementation of the 19th amendment to the constitution, which abolishes powers of the executive presidency has faced opposition by Sri Lankan parliament, with the supreme court recently ruling that parts of it could only be implemented after a referendum.

Old situation continues' in Sri Lanka says Communist Party of India

Apr 19, 2015
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) passed a resolution stating that the situation in Sri Lanka remains a “matter of concern”, calling for the restoration of lands seized from Tamils and the implementation of the 13th amendment.

The 21st Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday said that though the Sri Lankan government has “promised and has taken certain steps... it is a matter of concern that the old situation continues by and large”, for the Tamil people on the island.

Sri Lankan prime minister defends comments on Indian fishermen

Apr 19, 2015
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe defended comments he made stating that Indian fishermen could be shot by the Sri Lankan navy, whilst on a visit to India this weekend.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Sreekrishna Temple, Mr Wickremesinghe was pushed on his earlier comments, where he justified the shooting of fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

“The Sri Lankan government primarily represents the interests of Sri Lankans,” said Mr Wickremesinghe.

Last week former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga said Mr Wickremesinghe was only “joking” when he made the statement.

UPFA MPs rally to protect Mahinda from bribery commission

Apr 19, 2015

Over 60 MPs in Sri Lanka staged a protest against the summoning of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa by the bribery commission in parliament today.

The MPs, including Mr Rajapaksa's son Namal Rajapaksa, sat on floor and disrupted proceedings, causing the adjournment of parliament until Tuesday.

They handed over a petition urging a written assurance from President Maithripala Sirisena that the former president will be safe.

The UPFA MPs objected to the bribery commission's summoning of Mr Rajapaksa to appear before it on April 24, on charges he promised a ministerial post to former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake for his cross over.

First flight to transfer asylum seekers from Australia to Cambodia is cancelled

Apr 19, 2015

The first planned transfer of asylum seekers on Nauru to Cambodia has been cancelled due to "logistical errors" Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said.

However, activists say the refugees refused to sign the transfer documents.

Under a $40mn deal, refugees rejected by Australia, who are being detained on the island of Nauru, are being offered between AU$10,000 to AU$15,000 to accept a transfer to Cambodia.

Only 5 refugees, three Tamils, one Rohingya and one Iranian, are said to have agreed to the transfer.

Rajapaksa support rises as 100,000 left jobless by Sri Lanka's new government, says Gotobaya
Bribery Commission drops hearing of Rajapaksa after overnight protests
Debate on 19A to Sri Lanka's constitution delayed
DNA tests to be carried out on suspected killers of Tamil MP
Sirisena to call general elections after implementation of 19A and 20A
Old situation continues' in Sri Lanka says Communist Party of India
Sri Lankan prime minister defends comments on Indian fishermen
UPFA MPs rally to protect Mahinda from bribery commission
First flight to transfer asylum seekers from Australia to Cambodia is cancelled
Turkey looks to embolden business ties with Sri Lanka
Rajapaksa support rises as 100,000 left jobless by Sri Lanka's new government, says Gotobaya
Bribery Commission drops hearing of Rajapaksa after overnight protests
Debate on 19A to Sri Lanka's constitution delayed
DNA tests to be carried out on suspected killers of Tamil MP
Sirisena to call general elections after implementation of 19A and 20A
Old situation continues' in Sri Lanka says Communist Party of India
Sri Lankan prime minister defends comments on Indian fishermen
UPFA MPs rally to protect Mahinda from bribery commission
First flight to transfer asylum seekers from Australia to Cambodia is cancelled
Turkey looks to embolden business ties with Sri Lanka