27 Tamil journalists locked out -NFR

(Lanka-e-News -20.Sep.2011, 6.00P.M.) NfR Sri Lanka, a network of Sri Lankan journalists and human rights defenders living in exile expresses serious concern that 27 permanent cadres of the Tamil language daily newspaper Thinakkural have been locked out due to industrial dispute by the new owners of the newspaper. Senior journalists of the newspaper, Editor-in- Chief of the Sunday Thinakkural, News Editor, Deputy News Editor, and Senior Editorial Assistants are among the locked out staff. President of the Tamil Media Association Barathi Rajanayakam is also among them.   
Full story >> 
 ===============================

Naval exercises with Sri Lanka “improper”

CHENNAI, September 21, 2011

The Pattali Makkal Katchi has criticised the Navy's plan to hold joint exercises with its Sri Lankan counterpart.

In a statement, PMK leader S. Ramadoss said it was learnt that after these exercises, it India planned to extend quite a lot of assistance to Sri Lankan Navy.

“India, which has been renovating the Kankesanturai port in Sri Lanka at a huge cost, is about to extend training and other assistance to the Sri Lankan Navy. When the whole of Tamil Nadu is demanding that India have no relations whatsoever with Sri Lanka, it is improper for the Indian Navy to engage itself in joint naval exercises with the same country”.

He pleaded that the Indian government respect the sentiments of Tamilians and cancel the joint naval exercises. Besides, it should sever military ties with Sri Lanka and initiate measures to treat the country as one that had committed war crimes.

 

S. Ramadoss. File Photo