500Tamils were found on a boat near British Columbia source
» Wait a second … Yes, you read that right. British Columbia. Somehow the Tamils, reportedly being held there by terrorists and criminals, were brought all the way to Canada. From Sri Lanka. Remember that war they had where all those Tamils got killed? Here’s what the Tamil Tigers are doing now. Reportedly trafficking humans.
Two human rights groups reportedly have the goods on them. A year after the end of a longstanding civil war in Sri Lanka, both Human Rights Watch and the International Crisis Group are suggesting there’s evidence that the Sri Lankan army brutalized men, women, and children in an attempt to end a 30-year war. In HRW’s case, they have photos that we don’t want to see. Sri Lanka’s government dismisses the claims. source
Raj Rajaratnam gave as much as $5 million to a Tamil organization. The Sri Lankan-born billionaire at the center of the insider trading scandal on Wall Street may have helped the now-defeated Tamil Tigers on the side. U.S. records show that Rajaratnam gave $5 million to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization, and that money could have made its way to the Tigers. Which, if true, could complicate his saintly reputation in his homeland. source
Since the end of the war in Sri Lanka (and heck, even during it), M.I.A. has been outspoken against human rights abuses happening there – and has strongly supported the Tamil rebels who lost. source
The pop star took to her Twitter feed to inform her 30,000+ readers of clothing companies who produce clothes in Sri Lanka – and many of them are brands you wear, like Nike and Ralph Lauren. source
If his death is true, it is devastating news to Tamils. We didn’t have the motivation to stand up but he changed all of that.
London businessman G Allesgunaseelan • On the end of the Sri Lankan civil war and the death of Vellupillai Prabhakaran, the iconic leader of the Tamil Tigers. Allesgunaseelan fears that Prabhakaran’s death could spell a removal of Tamil culture from Sri Lankan society. He’s not alone in his fears and concerns about Sri Lanka. • source
Velupillai Prabhakaran founded the Tamil Tigers, who have been the spark point for a lengthy civil war in Sri Lanka. The Tigers are considered a terrorist organization in 32 countries. source
Prabhakaran apparently was killed while attempting to run. After 30-plus years, the Tigers agreed to rest their arms this weekend, effectively ending the longest civil war in Asia. source