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…

Vaiko says BJP policy aiding Sri Lanka

Oct 24, 2014
The leader of the MDMK, Vaiko, criticised the BJP led Indian government's policy on Sri Lanka, stating that it was affecting the Tamils adversely.

"Though the previous UPA discreetly helped Sri Lanka against Tamils, it later backtracked but the BJP government is openly aiding Colombo," Vaiko was quoted as saying by PTI.

Highlighting comments made by the BJP leader, Subramaniam Swamy, Vaiko condemned Swamy's call for Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa to be awarded India's highest civilian honour - Bharat Ratna.

India concerned at China's presence in Sri Lanka - The Hindu

Oct 24, 2014
India has told Sri Lanka that is is concerned at china's presence in Sri Lanka, according to The Hindu.

The paper reported that during a visit by Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to Delhi last week, Indian officials made their concerns known.

“The meeting was held to raise the issue of a Chinese submarine calling at a Sri Lankan port last month. It is of serious concern to India's national security,” a senior official told the paper anonymously.

China to loan money for another Hambantota project

Oct 24, 2014
The Sri Lankan government has asked Chinda for a "massive" loan from China to fund another project in Hambantota, reports the Sunday Times.

According to the paper, government officials were seeking a loan for an extension on the Southern Expressway, and China's EXIM bank has agreed.

See more here.

Related articles:

China’s loans to Sri Lanka reach nearly $4 billion (04 May 2014)

9th round of consultations with China 'highly successful' says Sri Lanka (03 May 2014)

SL navy commander holds 5 day talks with Indian counterpart

Oct 24, 2014
The Sri Lankan navy commander, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is to travel to India on Sunday, for a five day meeting with his Indian counterpart, the Colombo Page reported.

Sri Lanka is to buy two navy ships from India, as well as two offshore patrol vessels and military equipment, said the navy spokesperson, Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya.

Sri Lanka hires another American lobbying firm

Oct 23, 2014
Sri Lanka hired its eighth American public relations firm this year to reach out to US media, officials and policy makers.

Levick, an organisation subcontracted to the Liberty International Group, has been hired to speak on behalf of the Sri Lankan central bank.

Sri Lanka warns of increased 'LTTE rump' activity after EU ruling

Oct 23, 2014
The Sri Lankan military spokesperson Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said they would be vigilant of "acts of [LTTE] rump groups" following the decision by the General Court of the European Union to annul the anti-terror measures against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on procedural grounds earlier this month.

"The LTTE through its network of 'Sencholai' schools promote their doctrine of separatism and inculcate a negative image of the country, especially in the minds of the children of the Tamil expatriate community," he told journalists at a press conference on Thursday, reports Colombo Page.

"Although there are no more armed terrorists in the country authorities are always vigilant on the acts of rump groups," he added.

Body found in Nuwara Eliya plantation

Oct 23, 2014
The body of a 41 year old Tamil man was found floating in a pond in Meraya plantation, in Nuwara Eliya, this week.

The man, identified as father of two, Ramasamy Ramachandran, went missing after leaving his home one morning, reports Uthayan.

His body was recovered by Lindula police, and handed over to the Nuwara Eliya district hospital for post mortem.

The police are reportedly investigating the incident further.

Tamil Civil Society Forum endorses North-East councillors' call for genocide inquiry

Oct 23, 2014
A network of Tamil civil society groups in the North-East, the Tamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF), endorsed the call by councillors in the Northern and Eastern provinces for an international inquiry into the crime of genocide.

Defending the councillors' right to state make such a call, the TSCF disputed an earlier statement by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which argued that a draft NPC resolution which argued the mass killing of Tamils by the Sri Lankan state was a genocide, would prejudice the OHCHR Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL) currently underway.

"Tamils and their representatives have the right to form a legal opinion that the atrocities that were committed (and continue to be perpetrated) against them amounts to Genocide. There are sufficient, reasonable grounds to form such a legal opinion, such that this is not a spurious claim," the TSCF statement, published on Friday, read.

The people's budget

Oct 23, 2014

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his last budget presentation before the presidential election in January, granted several concessions and handouts to the people of Sri Lanka.

Rajapaksa pledged that families of military personnel and police officers would receive Rs. 1000 per a month, as well as a guaranteed a 17.6% rise in rice prices, and pledged to provide farmers with free rice for the next season.

Journalists will be given interest-free car loans and school teachers and university lecturers will receive a rise in allowances, his budget further proposed.

The president also promised free health check-ups for all citizens and a pension scheme for garment sector employees.

Body of missing mother found in Vadamarachchi

Oct 23, 2014
The body of a mother of two children was found on Friday morning in the Mulli region of Vadamarachchi, reports Uthayan.

The 36 year old mother, who was from the Nagarkoyil area of Jaffna, went missing on October 20th after visiting a friend's house in Point Pedro.


India concerned at China's presence in Sri Lanka - The Hindu
China to loan money for another Hambantota project
SL navy commander holds 5 day talks with Indian counterpart
Sri Lanka hires another American lobbying firm
Sri Lanka warns of increased 'LTTE rump' activity after EU ruling
Body found in Nuwara Eliya plantation
Tamil Civil Society Forum endorses North-East councillors' call for genocide inquiry
The people's budget
Body of missing mother found in Vadamarachchi
Budget besties
India concerned at China's presence in Sri Lanka - The Hindu
China to loan money for another Hambantota project
SL navy commander holds 5 day talks with Indian counterpart
Sri Lanka hires another American lobbying firm
Sri Lanka warns of increased 'LTTE rump' activity after EU ruling
Body found in Nuwara Eliya plantation
Tamil Civil Society Forum endorses North-East councillors' call for genocide inquiry
The people's budget
Body of missing mother found in Vadamarachchi
Budget besties