Sri Lanka’s president Wednesday ordered a new investigation into the disappearance of thousands of people in the island’s northeast during an ethnic war which ended four years ago. The announcement comes just days before UN human rights chief Navi Pillay is due to visit the island, amid international criticism of Colombo’s human rights record during… Continue reading Sri Lanka launches new probe into thousands missing in war
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Why are Buddhist monks attacking Muslims?
Of all the moral precepts instilled in Buddhist monks the promise not to kill comes first, and the principle of non-violence is arguably more central to Buddhism than any other major religion. So why have monks been using hate speech against Muslims and joining mobs that have left dozens dead? This is happening in two… Continue reading Why are Buddhist monks attacking Muslims?
Jaffna-based Uthayan suffers second attack in a fortnight
The office of Uthayan, the Jaffna-based Tamil newspaper, was attacked in the early hours of Saturday. This is the second attack suffered by the publication in the last fortnight. On April 3, the newspaper’s Kilinochchi office was attacked by masked assailant. Speaking to The Hindu, E. Saravanapavan, managing director of Uthayan and a Tamil National… Continue reading Jaffna-based Uthayan suffers second attack in a fortnight
Sri Lankan forces raping Tamil detainees: rights group
Sri Lankan security forces continue to use rape and other forms of sexual violence to torture suspected Tamil rebels nearly four years after the end of the island’s civil war, a rights group alleged Tuesday. The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed widespread rape of detainees during the separatist conflict that ended in May… Continue reading Sri Lankan forces raping Tamil detainees: rights group
East mourns demise of Muslim Tamil educationalist
The 40th day mourning for Al-haj M.A. Samsudeen, who passed away on 25 November at the age of 82, is to be observed at Addaa’laich-cheanai in the Ampaa’rai district of Eastern Province on Thursday. Mr. Samshudeen dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to education in the East as well in the North and retired… Continue reading East mourns demise of Muslim Tamil educationalist
Jaffna University Teachers’ Union President summoned to Vavuniyaa
Sri Lankan ‘Terrorist’ Investigation Department (TID) has placed a phone call to the head of Jaffna University Teachers Association (JUTA) Lecturer A Rajakumaran and summoned him to the notorious TID office in Vavuniyaa, informed circles at the University of Jaffna told TamilNet on Friday. The JUTA has been firm in defending the rights of the… Continue reading Jaffna University Teachers’ Union President summoned to Vavuniyaa
Sri Lanka is No. 1 nation in ‘sex’ searches on Google
Not many will doubt that one of the most sought after keyword on Internet is “sex”. And Sri Lankans, it seems, are the most search savvy when it comes to Googling that term. This is according to Google Trends, a public web facility that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the… Continue reading Sri Lanka is No. 1 nation in ‘sex’ searches on Google
Transfer orders for some 50 army seniors
Nearly 50 senior army officers including eight Major Generals and Brigadiers have been transferred by Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya, military sources said and added that the transfers will take effect in December and January next year. The transfers will affect eight Major Generals, 24 Brigadiers, nine Colonels and seven Lieutenant Colonels. Maj. Gen. J.C. Dias… Continue reading Transfer orders for some 50 army seniors
Sri Lankan lawmakers conclude judges’ hearing
Sri Lankan lawmakers have concluded hearing impeachment charges against the country’s chief justice in her absence after she and opposition members walked out to protest what they called a lack of fairness in the inquiry. Government lawmaker Anura Yapa, who headed an 11-member inquiry committee, handed over a report to Parliament Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa on… Continue reading Sri Lankan lawmakers conclude judges’ hearing
Uprooted Tamils in Champoor live in camps under flood water
Uprooted Champoor Tamil families numbering about 1,250 are undergoing untold sufferings in temporary shelters due to ongoing heavy rain and strong winds. Temporary shelters situated in Kaddai-pa’richchaan, Ki’liveddi, Manatcheanai and Paddiththidal are under flood waters and the latrines are submerged in the water, according to C. Thandayuthapani, the opposition leader in the Eastern Provincial Council… Continue reading Uprooted Tamils in Champoor live in camps under flood water