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 manifesto hence we feel that we need to make a statement, so as to ensure that the Tamil Community is not misinformed by anyone. The Conservative Party Manifesto states ‘’From…
Read MoreDay: 30 November 2019
Sri Lankan Critics Fear a Crackdown Is Underway, and Some Flee – The New York Times
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 for human rights abuses and corruption began trying to flee the country, officials said. Abduction of the diplomatic officials… In a case that raised particular alarm, a Sri Lankan employee…
Read MoreThe extremist policies of the Sinhalese rulers led Tamil leaders to accept the Eelam
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 for Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This Presidential Election clearly shows a pattern of voting where major ethnic groups – Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim had cliqued into three separate groups according to their…
Read MoreTNA urges Govt. to fulfil UN commitments
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 co-sponsored a resolution. “If Sri Lanka keeps avoiding its international commitments, it will soon lose its legitimacy and be termed a failed state. Those who suffered during the war, need…
Read MoreManohara warns: Solve ‘Swiss mystery’ or face the consequences
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 be the responsibility of the government to ensure a thorough inquiry. However, the refusal on the part of Switzerland to deny access by the law enforcement authorities to the alleged…
Read MorePresident Gotabaya and the fears of the West
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. The indications are that his tenure will be very different from those of the presidents before him, including that of his brother Mahinda. Unlike previous presidents, Gotabaya is not a…
Read MoreSwiss Embassy says its employee in ‘deteriorating health’
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 a statement regarding the incident that took place on Monday (25 November) night involving one of its local employees, saying several false pieces of information are circulating in the reporting…
Read MoreImplement The 13th Amendment: Modi Tells Gota
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 Bhavan by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind which was also attended by Prime Minister Modi. “I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will carry forward the…
Read More