 
Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power coalition won 265 out of 336 local governing bodies in local government elections, reaffirming its popular support. But the transition to democracy is fraught with contradictions, writes Janaka Biyanwila.
 
Sri Lanka’s ruling National People’s Power coalition won 265 out of 336 local governing bodies in local government elections, reaffirming its popular support. But the transition to democracy is fraught with contradictions, writes Janaka Biyanwila.
 
The situation for Tamils in Sri Lanka is likely to worsen, writes Chris Slee, after the Sri Lanka Peoples Front, a right-wing alliance headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, won 145 seats in Sri Lanka's 225 member legislature in the August 5 elections.
 
A new report shows why Tamil refugees fear being sent back to Sri Lanka, and why it is essential to campaign against the Australian government's policy of deporting them or pressuring them to return "voluntarily", writes Chris Slee.
 
On November 27, known to Tamils as Heroes Day, those who died fighting for an independent Tamil homeland were commemorated at ceremonies throughout the north and east of Sri Lanka.
 
More than 1000 students marched through the streets of Jaffna demanding freedom for Tamil political prisoners on November 14.
An appeal issued by the Jaffna Universty Students Union read: "At least 132 Tamil political prisoners are languishing in the prisons of Sri Lankan state across the island. Many of them have been detained for years without trial".
 Chief minister of the Northern Provincial Council, CV Wigneswaran, addressing a commemorative event at Mullivaikkal, May 18. Photo: Tamil Guardian.
Tamils throughout the north and east of the island of Sri Lanka held ceremonies on May 18 to remember those who died in the genocidal war waged by the Sri Lankan Army against the Tamil people.
Chief minister of the Northern Provincial Council, CV Wigneswaran, addressing a commemorative event at Mullivaikkal, May 18. Photo: Tamil Guardian.
Tamils throughout the north and east of the island of Sri Lanka held ceremonies on May 18 to remember those who died in the genocidal war waged by the Sri Lankan Army against the Tamil people.