Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Three thousand years deep - Evidence uncovers Velanai's ancient seafarers
A newly published study has identified the earliest scientifically confirmed evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back around 3,460 years and overturning an erroneous long-held Sri Lankan assumption that the region was largely uninhabited until much later. The study, published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology and led by…

Conclusion of elections provide 'moment of hope' says Obama

Jan 8, 2015
US President Barack Obama called on newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to work with the United States to "advance peace, democracy and prosperity", stating the conclusion of the elections was a "moment of hope".

Ranil Wickremasinghe sworn in as prime minister

Jan 8, 2015
Ranil Wickremasinghe, the leader of the United National Party (UNP), was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s prime minister before president Maithripala Sirisena at the Independence Square in Colombo on Friday.

Wickremasinghe urged the people to celebrate the election victory without resorting to any violence or political revenge, reports News.lk.

Election does not address immediate or fundamental Tamil issues - BTF

Jan 8, 2015
The British Tamil Forum (BTF) noting the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa at Sri Lanka's presidential election to the common opposition's presidential candidate, Maithripala Sirisena, warned that "this will not still resolve the immediate issues faced by the Tamil people nor address the fundamental issue that has affected the Tamils in Sri Lanka for a very long time."

"As stated by the newly sworn in president in his election manifesto, the policy towards giving autonomy to the Tamil people, de-militarisation of the Tamil areas and cooperation with the UNHRC's international inquiry will remain the same. The fundamental issue that has fuelled this conflict for well over 60 years since the independence of Sri Lanka or Ceylon is the nature of the state, which needs to be structurally reformed," the BTF said.

Liberal Party of Canada calls for accountability, devolution and demilitarisation

Jan 8, 2015

Canada's Liberal Party has called on the newly elected president Maithripala Sirisena to "work with the international community to achieve accountability", as well as to demilitarise the Northeast and introduce comprehensive devolution.

In a statement congratulating Sirisena, Marc Garneau, Foreign Affairs Critic for the Liberal Party, expressed hope that "that the President Elect will work to ensure that democracy and the rule of law is restored, freedom of religion is respected, and the north and the east are demilitarized."

UK, Canada urge President Sirisena to cooperate with UN inquiry as he takes office

Jan 8, 2015

Sri Lanka's new president, Maithiripala Sirisena, faced calls from heads of states and international rights groups to address accountability for mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people, along side calls to demilitarise the North-East and address devolution of power, as he took office on Friday.

President Sirisena, who was endorsed by a coalition of parties, including the UNP, JVP, TNA and SLMC, won 51.28% (6,217,162 votes), beating incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, who won 47.58% (5,768,090 votes).

Maithripala must stop genocidal processes against Tamils and allow self-determination says TRC

Jan 8, 2015
The new president Maithripala Sirisena must stop the “vicious military occupation of the north,” and perpetuation of “genocide against the Tamil population,” whilst allowing Tamils to “determine their own future,” said the Tamil Refugee Council (TRC) in Australia.

The TRC convenor, Trevor Grant, further urged the Australian prime minister to push the new leadership in Sri Lanka towards “policies away from military-led repression to a new way that allows Tamils, in particular, to live the way they decide, and in peace and harmony.”

UN will continue to support accountability in Sri Lanka says UN Sec Gen

Jan 8, 2015
Congratulating the common opposition's presidential candidate, Maithripala Sirisena, on his election victory, the UN Secretary General reiterated that the UN would "continue to support development, reconciliation, political dialogue and accountability in Sri Lanka."

“The Secretary-General applauds the Sri Lankan Elections Commission for its professionalism in ensuring a peaceful and credible election,” Ban's spokesperson said in a statement on Friday, adding that the "UN chief also commended the efforts of the candidates, including outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa, law enforcement agencies and civil society for upholding and respecting democratic governance."

Resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people' says CTC

Jan 8, 2015
The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) called on newly elected Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to work with the Tamil leadership to “resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people”, in a statement released on the day he takes up office.

Noting Sirisena's victory “marks the end of a decade-long dynastic dictatorship of the Rajapakse family”, the CTC stated that Tamil people had “voted en masse” for change.

“After years of suffering inflicted by the current government and despite various acts of intimidation, thousands of voters took to the polls, symbolizing much needed hope for change,” read the CTC statement.

EU congratulates new president

Jan 8, 2015
The European Union congratulated Sri Lanka's new president on his election victory on Friday. 

"I congratulate Maithripala Sirisena on his election as President of Sri Lanka. The EU looks forward to working with him to further develop its relations with Sri Lanka," the EU's Vice President, Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

UK opposition leader calls for 'freedom, justice and fairness'

Jan 8, 2015
The leader of the UK Labour party Ed Miliband said Sri Lanka has reached a “new era” in politics and called for it to be guided “by the principles of freedom, justice and fairness,” after the election of Maithripala Sirisena to president.

In a statement congratulating the people of Sri Lanka, Miliband said,
“The UK must encourage the new Government to build an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka that works for all of its people that includes all communities, Sinhalese, Tamil, and Muslim.”
Ranil Wickremasinghe sworn in as prime minister
Election does not address immediate or fundamental Tamil issues - BTF
Liberal Party of Canada calls for accountability, devolution and demilitarisation
UK, Canada urge President Sirisena to cooperate with UN inquiry as he takes office
Maithripala must stop genocidal processes against Tamils and allow self-determination says TRC
UN will continue to support accountability in Sri Lanka says UN Sec Gen
Resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people' says CTC
EU congratulates new president
UK opposition leader calls for 'freedom, justice and fairness'
China congratulates Sirisena, wishes to promote strategic cooperative partnership
Ranil Wickremasinghe sworn in as prime minister
Election does not address immediate or fundamental Tamil issues - BTF
Liberal Party of Canada calls for accountability, devolution and demilitarisation
UK, Canada urge President Sirisena to cooperate with UN inquiry as he takes office
Maithripala must stop genocidal processes against Tamils and allow self-determination says TRC
UN will continue to support accountability in Sri Lanka says UN Sec Gen
Resolve the immediate problems of the Tamil people' says CTC
EU congratulates new president
UK opposition leader calls for 'freedom, justice and fairness'
China congratulates Sirisena, wishes to promote strategic cooperative partnership