Month: November 2019

The British Tamils Forum would like to state that we are a politically neutral organisation working with cross parties to promote our values and aspirations, and also would like to impress on the entire community that we the BTF support a two-state solution. However, it has come to light that there have been some serious misrepresentations of the conservative party… Continue reading "Conservative Party 2019 Manifesto – Two State Solution"

A Swiss Embassy employee is abducted and asked about asylum applications and investigators are banned from leaving just days after Gotabaya Rajapaksa is elected. (Lanka-e-News- 28.Nov.2019, 9.00 PM) Fears of a potential crackdown on critics of the newly returned Rajapaksa political dynasty in Sri Lanka are rising just days after the election, as officials and journalists who investigated the Rajapaksas… Continue reading "Sri Lankan Critics Fear a Crackdown Is Underway, and Some Flee – The New York Times"

The fear psychosis and suspicion prevailing among Tamil and the Muslim communities can be understood. But the fear among the Sinhala Buddhists cannot be regarded as justified. by Victor IvanEvidently, the Tamils ​​in the north and particularly the Muslims in the east have voted en-block for Sajith Premadasa while a vast majority of Sinhala Buddhist voters in the south voted… Continue reading "The extremist policies of the Sinhalese rulers led Tamil leaders to accept the Eelam"

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government to fulfil the commitments made by Sri Lanka at the UNHRC and warned that if not, Sri Lanka would lose its legitimacy in the international arena. He told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka should avoid making fresh representations to the UNHRC as it had already… Continue reading "TNA urges Govt. to fulfil UN commitments"

By Shamindra Ferdinando Manohara De Silva, PC, yesterday urged the government to conduct a ‘no-holds-barred’ inquiry into high profile accusation that its agents abducted a local employee of the Switzerland mission in Colombo, and questioned her before releasing her. Responding to Switzerland demanding an inquiry into the alleged abduction on Monday, Nov 25, the top lawyer said that it would… Continue reading "Manohara warns: Solve ‘Swiss mystery’ or face the consequences"

We want to remain neutral in our foreign relations and stay out of any conflicts among the world powers With ceremonies redolent with symbolism, followed by administrative moves that sent clear messages to the public, Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office as the President of Sri Lanka signalling a clarity of purpose and a no-nonsense approach to his duties that lay ahead.… Continue reading "President Gotabaya and the fears of the West"

Embassy breaks silence, issues statement to clarify false info circulating on incident Says employee was detained on street, forced into car, and threatened at length Says Embassy fully cooperating with authorities Due to deteriorating health condition, victim currently not in state to testify Says no request made for extradition of CID officer and family The Swiss Embassy last night issued… Continue reading "Swiss Embassy says its employee in ‘deteriorating health’"

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the joint press conference held yesterday (29) said that India is confident that the reconciliation process under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will see the implementation of the 13th Amendment. The newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accepting his invitation by the Indian Prime Minister made his first official visit to India this week. A special reception was held at the Rashtrapati… Continue reading "Implement The 13th Amendment: Modi Tells Gota"

Maaveerar Naal observed by Tamils across Europe Maaveerar Naal was observed by thousands of Tamils across Europe, where they gathered in various cities to pay tribute to the fallen. Oberhausen, Germany Herning, Denmark Oslo, Norway Paris, France Fribourg, Switzerland29 November 2019 Mannar Tamils defy threats to mark Maaveerar Naal Maaveerar Naal was commemorated in destroyed thuyilum illams (LTTE cemeteries) in Mannar district… Continue reading "Maaveerar Naal observed by Tamils across World"

Writing in the Tamil Guardian on November 27th, the leaders of the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats both expressed their support for British Tamils and pledged to work with the community in their struggle for justice. In his piece, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on his work with British Tamils and his party’s commitment to human rights and justice. Read… Continue reading "UK party leaders pledge support for British Tamils"

Visiting Sri Lankan President Gotayaba Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today discussed wide ranging issues, including reconciliation and ethnic harmony in Sri Lanka. The talks took place as Rajapaksa undertook his first official overseas visit as Head of State after being elected President. Rajapaksa was accorded a grand welcome at Hyderabad House following which he engaged in bilateral… Continue reading "Modi and Gota discuss reconciliation, ethnic harmony in Sri Lanka"

Tamils need not fear the Rajapaksas and the new president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is weaker than one wants to believe. He does not dare yet what is political. His success rests in deep dark acts of terror and brutal solutions with the State machinery under his disposal. by Prof. Ramu ManivannanViews expressed in this essay are the author’s ownThe victory of… Continue reading "Sinhalese are themselves an unequal, caste ridden and class based society."

By Chandani Kirinde Switzerland yesterday demanded an immediate and complete investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in which a local employee of the embassy was detained against her will on the street and threatened at length by unidentified men, in order to force her to disclose embassy-related information. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern, in response… Continue reading "Sri Lankan Employee at Swiss Embassy in Colombo Detained Against Her Will and Threatened at Length by Unidentified Men Trying to Force Information Out of Her About Issuance of Visa to CID Inspector Nishantha Silva"

FM asks embassy to follow ‘established procedure’ to allow smooth probe By Shamindra FerdinandoThe Swiss embassy in Colombo has declined to give Sri Lanka, conducting an investigation into an alleged abduction of one of its employees, access to the person concerned. Authoritative sources told The Island yesterday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been denied an opportunity to record the alleged… Continue reading "Alleged abduction: Swiss embassy denies SL access to its employee"

Sampanthan leading elite Jaffna politics with Mavai and Sumanthiran LLRC recommendations a platform for North-South dialogue  UNP has remained a Sinhala Buddhist party dependent on Southern votes  Reading Northern Tamil politics from Colombo, the presidential election seems to have proved Tamil political leaderships of all colour are caught in a serious dilemma. Much fractured TNA had to eventually compromise to… Continue reading "Tamil politics in crisis need alternate programme"

By Kumar David – Prof. Kumar David Gotabaya Rajapaksa has won an immense landslide victory among the Sinhalese (72% of Sinhala Buddhist and nearly 60% of other Sinhalese – Catholic/Christian – voted for him). Equally stunning was his total rejection by Tamils and the Muslims. Never before has polarisation been so stark in our electoral history. However, that is all water under… Continue reading "Gota Versus The Tamils & Muslims"

By Dinasena Ratugamage Former Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, C. V. Vigneswaran on Tuesday said that the Tamil people had a right to celebrate the Mahaviru Day peacefully. On Mahaviru Day people of the North commemorate a number of people who had passed away and those celebrations were done in a peaceful manner, he said, that he expected… Continue reading "Tamils have a right to commemorate the dead – Wiggy"

Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko and his supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to India. “Gun-toting soldiers are roaming in the streets inhabited by Tamil people. Tamil areas have become concentration camps controlled by the Sri Lankan army. What happened in Nazi Hitler’s time in Germany and Poland, is… Continue reading "Vaiko detained for protesting against Gotabaya’s India visit"

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday said the government’s plan to review United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution 30/1, ‘for promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights’ in Sri Lanka would have serious repercussions for the country at the international level. TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said that in 2015, the Sri Lankan government co-sponsored the UNHRC Resolution 30/1, promoting reconciliation,… Continue reading "TNA warns govt against reviewing Geneva resolution co-sponsored by previous regime"

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa shaking hands with Deputy High Commissioner Tom Burns on Monday. HC Hulton (Centre) and First Secretary Amy O’Brien look on. By Shamindra Ferdinando Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader Dinesh Gunawardena, MP, on Monday, Nov 25, assumed duties as the Foreign Minister. Gunawardena succeeded Tilak Marapana, PC (Aug 2017-Nov 2019). Addressing the media, with Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinghe… Continue reading "UK Labour takes up cudgels for minority rights in Lanka in the wake of Gotabaya triumph"

The appointment of a new Governor for the North is in the works. All nine governors had resigned on the request of the new President. Six have been appointed. In Jaffna it is said to be a tight fight for influence with the new president to decide who will be appointed. Names mentioned are those of Suren Raghavan nominated by… Continue reading "New Governor of North!"

A tense situation arose at the Jaffna University as students commemorated ‘Maaveerar’ day today. The students placed wreaths and flowers at a monument to remember those killed during the war. The commemoration event was held despite university authorities telling students not to hold such an event. The students closed the main gate of the university as they staged the event… Continue reading "Tense situation as Jaffna students commemorate ‘Maaveerar’ day"

In a major diplomatic move, which was both swift and intelligent, Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar dashed to Sri Lankan capital Colombo as soon as it was known that the new President of Sri Lanka is now Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Gotabaya, 70, belonging to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party triumphed securing well over 52 per cent votes… Continue reading "Rajapaksas’ Lanka"

In Sri Lanka, the main political grouping of minority Tamils has called upon Tamil political parties to stand united on the issues faced by the Tamils. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A Sumanthiran called upon Tamil parties to not attempt to divide the Tamil community and join the alliance. He said that TNA is the main Tamil political alliance in… Continue reading "Sri Lanka: Minority Tamil political parties urged to stand united on issues faced by Tamils"

The seventh edition of the India – Sri Lanka joint training exercise, Mitra Shakti 2019, will be conducted at the Foreign Training Node (FTN) in Pune from December 1 to 14. The aim of this joint training exercise is to build and promote positive relations between Indian and Sri Lankan armies. The exercise will focus on sub-unit level training for… Continue reading "India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise to begin in Pune from December 1"

The founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, Milinda Moragoda proposed that the government should hold a non-binding referendum together with the general election. In a statement, he said the provision for such a move was available under Article 86 of the Constitution and proposed four issues to be taken up as questions for the referendum. The questions are: “Prefer a full-fledged… Continue reading "Hold non-binding referendum with general elections: Moragoda"

Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan says that they will not hesitate to support the government if it is needed. Speaking to the media in Trincomalee, they will continue to be in the Opposition and will oppose the government whenever it has to be opposed. However, this would not necessarily mean that we will oppose the government… Continue reading "Sampanthan ready to support good work of new govt."

Gotabaya Rajapaksa Calls Upon the Tamil Diaspora to Work Together and Help Develop Our Country Instead of Criticising in the first Interview Given by The Sri Lankan President After Being Elected to Office President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the Tamil diaspora to work together to develop the country and help the people irrespective of their community.The President has said this… Continue reading "President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the Tamil diaspora………."

Britain’s former prime minister David Cameron described how he refused to shake Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s hand when he met the Rajapaksa brothers in a “showdown” in Colombo in 2013, that was described as one of “the worst tempered foreign meeting(s)” during his tenure. Cameron, who was in Colombo for the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), justified his attendance at… Continue reading "Former British PM refused to shake Gotabaya’s hand in Colombo ‘showdown’"

The British Tamils Forum representative was interviewed by international media network – Al Jazeera English on the NewsHour.  Video Link :- https://youtu.be/D0Ijnris8E0Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/303646176403023/posts/2246789802088641?d=n&sfns=moInstagram :-

As numerous Presidential candidates entered the fray in October, the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake along with the National People’s Power (NPP) was among the front runners of the ‘alternative’ movement to enter the race. At rallies brimming with supporters, Dissanayake’s promises of tackling corruption, reconciliation and uplifting the lives of the citizenry were attractive and… Continue reading "JVP leader disappointed with votes polled"

http://www.ft.lk/news/PM-intervenes-to-stop-vandalising-of-road-signs/56-690306 In the wake of a spate of acts of vandalism targeting road signs in the Tamil language, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had yesterday directed the Police to act immediately to stop such incidents.  The Prime Minister has also instructed the reinstallation of all the damaged road sings. Police have also been asked to take into custody those involved in… Continue reading "PM intervenes to stop vandalising of road signs"