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…

China congratulates Sirisena, wishes to promote strategic cooperative partnership

Jan 8, 2015
Congratulating the newly elected president, Maithripala Sirisena on his election victory, China highlighted the "strategic cooperative partnership" between the countries.

"China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei today in Beijing extended China’s congratulations on Mr. Sirisena’s election as President of Sri Lanka and wish that the Sri Lankan government and people will make new achievements under his leadership," China's embassy in Colombo was quoted by The Island as saying.

Germany hopes for 'fundamental reconciliation' from new president

Jan 8, 2015
Germany expressed its hope for a "fundamental reconciliation between the different communities" on the island, in a message congratulating the newly elected president, Maithripala Sirisena on his win.

"I congratulate Maithripala Sirisena on his election victory. We wish him the best of luck and much success for the realisation of his political goals for a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Sri Lank," said the country's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a statement on Friday.

Amnesty calls for new Sri Lankan government to fully cooperate with UN investigation

Jan 8, 2015
Sri Lanka’s new government must “fully cooperate with the UN investigation,” said Amnesty International in a press release on Friday.

“The lack of accountability for past human rights violations has been the tragic norm in Sri Lanka over the past decade. Tens of thousands of victims and family members are still waiting for the justice they deserve and the new administration must work to deliver it,” said Amnesty International’s deputy Asia pacific director David Griffiths.

Explosion near Jaffna polling booth

Jan 7, 2015


A hand grenade exploded by an abandoned house in Point Pedro, Jaffna, on Thursday morning, as polls opened for Sri Lanka's presidential election.


Tamils vote in North-East amid grenade explosions

Jan 7, 2015
Updated 23:45 GMT
Tamils came on Thursday to cast their vote at Sri Lanka's presidential election despite grenade explosions and disruptions to transport services to polling booths.

Tamils voted to ensure no fraud, not in belief things will change says TNA spokesperson

Jan 7, 2015
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesperson, Suresh Premachandran, questioned what change the election would bring for the Tamil people, stating that votes were cast merely to prevent election fraud in Tamil areas, not in any belief that the election would bring progress to the Tamil people.

"Whether our problems as Tamil people will be resolved whoever of these two come to power remains an important question," Premachandran told reporters in Jaffna on Thursday, after casting his vote.

"They say that if the opposition wins democracy will come to Sri Lanka however, a key question of mine is will this democracy come to the Northern province? Will that democracy stay in the South? Or will it look over at the North? Will the people here be able to live peacefully?" he asked.

Ensure peaceful and inclusive election Kerry tells Rajapaksa ahead of polls

Jan 7, 2015
The US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday to ensure today's election was "credible, peaceful and inclusive".

"The United States supports a free and fair electoral process in Sri Lanka that is credible, peaceful and inclusive," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told journalists on Wednesday.

"To that end, Secretary Kerry called the Sri Lankan President yesterday [Tuesday] to underscore the government's responsibility to ensure the January 8th elections will be free from violence and intimidation and that the vote counting is carried out credibly and transparently."

Police ban demonstrations for 7 days

Jan 7, 2015
Sri Lankan police banned all demonstrations and processions for seven days following the state's presidential election on Thursday.

"The decision to ban demonstrations and processions were taken to ensure law and order prevail in the country and to stop any kind of post-election violence," the police spokesperson, Ajith Rohana, was quoted by Ceylon Today as saying.


Sri Lanka slams UN again over peaceful election call

Jan 6, 2015
The Sri Lankan government has criticised the United Nations yet again, after the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the UN reiterated calls for a peaceful presidential election this week.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, had said in his press briefing on Monday,
“Obviously, we've seen the recent events in Sri Lanka, even those today, and I think it makes the Secretary-General's call for reconciliation, political dialogue that much more important and also his call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities.”

Sri Lanka's astrologers face nervous times ahead of polls

Jan 6, 2015
Astrologers in Sri Lanka face a nervous time ahead of tomorrow's presidential polls, with worries of repercussions for failed predictions of victory for incumbent Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Speaking to the New York Times Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena told of the hazardous task he has as Rajapaksa's “royal astrologer”. Rajapaksa is known to be a strong believer in astrology, frequently seeking the advice of astrologers on a range of issues (see here and here). He recently announced that the Sri Lankan Treasury would provide modern computer technology to a group of astrologers, in order to assist with their predictions.

Germany hopes for 'fundamental reconciliation' from new president
Amnesty calls for new Sri Lankan government to fully cooperate with UN investigation
Explosion near Jaffna polling booth
Tamils vote in North-East amid grenade explosions
Tamils voted to ensure no fraud, not in belief things will change says TNA spokesperson
Ensure peaceful and inclusive election Kerry tells Rajapaksa ahead of polls
Police ban demonstrations for 7 days
Sri Lanka slams UN again over peaceful election call
Sri Lanka's astrologers face nervous times ahead of polls
Sri Lanka's election could change everything... and nothing' – Callum Macrae
Germany hopes for 'fundamental reconciliation' from new president
Amnesty calls for new Sri Lankan government to fully cooperate with UN investigation
Explosion near Jaffna polling booth
Tamils vote in North-East amid grenade explosions
Tamils voted to ensure no fraud, not in belief things will change says TNA spokesperson
Ensure peaceful and inclusive election Kerry tells Rajapaksa ahead of polls
Police ban demonstrations for 7 days
Sri Lanka slams UN again over peaceful election call
Sri Lanka's astrologers face nervous times ahead of polls
Sri Lanka's election could change everything... and nothing' – Callum Macrae