Michael Rasa Mary, the mother of Major Sothiya, has passed away in Nelliyady, Jaffna today. Major Sothiya was the commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) first female unit. Maria Vasanthi Michael, known by her nomme de guerre ‘Sothiya’, was born on 20 September 1963. She first joined the LTTE in 1984. A formidable fighter, Sothiya took part in many battles, as female cadres began to take part in combat operations from 1986 onwards. Following Sothiya's death, the LTTE formed the “Sothiya Regiment’ in her honour in 1996. Read more here: Remembering Major Sothiya.
Despite Sri Lanka's Office of Mission Persons (OMP) failure to trace a single disappeared person, the office has launched an advert calling for a suitable individual to assist fact-finding missions. According to the vacancy notice, persons with suitable experience in fact-finding or investigation, human rights law, international humanitarian law, humanitarian response or other relevant qualifications to carry out the functions of the OMP have been requested to forward their applications on or before 27th May 2024. Earlier this year, Sri Lanka reiterated its rejection of UN resolutions on...
The Jaffna Christian Union served Mullivaikkal Kanji yesterday to remember the Tamils who were brutally killed by the Sri Lankan state 15 years ago. From January 2009 to May 2009, Sri Lanka ramped up its genocidal offensive shelling Tamils trapped in the 'No Fire Zones'. Kanji - a porridge of rice and water - was the only food available to Tamils trapped in the Sri Lankan government-declared 'No Fire Zones' as food, medicines, and other necessities were heavily restricted from entering the Vanni during the final phase of the armed conflict. The Sri Lankan government denied the delivery of...
The Indian High Commission in Colombo was forced to deny any Indian involvement with issuing visas in Sri Lanka, after a viral video alleged an Indian company had taken over the processing of visas at Colombo’s international airport. Chaos ensued at the Bandaranaike International Airport after an irate Sri Lankan man berated officials for reportedly allowing Indian firms to take over the issuance of visas on behalf of Sri Lankans. A viral video shows the individual in question arguing with officials at the airport after his companion was apparently denied a visa. “How can [an] Indian guy...
This week excavations took place in mass graves across Tamil Eelam, as even more bodies continued to be unearthed. Almost 15 years after the Mullivaikkal genocide, the grisly discoveries are a reminder. Sri Lanka’s bloody history of mass atrocities cannot be buried. The past will eventually resurface, and it must be reckoned with.
I am from Vadduvaakal, Mullivaaikaal. I was a fisherman before the war. I used to do all my work, no matter how much work I have. I lost both my legs during a Kfir attack during the last days of the war. I wanted to die when I knew that I lost my legs. I asked the doctors at the hospital I was being taken care of, to please kill me with an injection; but they helped me recover.
The Tamil Eelam Football Association (TEFA) has unveiled its highly anticipated squad for the upcoming CONIFA Women's World Cup set to kick off in Bodø, Norway, from May 27 to June 9, 2024. Comprising 22 talented players from various corners of the Tamil diaspora, TEFA is gearing up to showcase its prowess on the global stage. The CONIFA Women's World Cup, organised by the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), promises to be a thrilling spectacle of footballing talent from non-FIFA affiliated teams. In the group stage, Tamil Eelam will lock horns with opponents Tibet...
Sri Lanka's press freedom ranking has plummeted by 15 positions to 150, down from 135 in the previous year, according to the annual release of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2024 World Press Freedom Index . The index compares press freedom across 180 countries and territories. RSF's country-specific assessment of Sri Lanka reports that while Sri Lankan law ostensibly guarantees freedom of expression, the protection of journalists remains tenuous at best. Anti-terrorism legislation is frequently used to silence journalists, "especially those who try to investigate the living conditions of...
Jaffna Press Club called on Sri Lanka's authorities to "stop the war on journalists" in a protest to mark World Press Freedom Day. The Tamil journalists chanted outside their office in Jaffna, demanding justice for the killings and disappearances of fellow Tamil journalists and media workers. They also expressed the need for thorough investigations into attacks targeting media establishments and for Sri Lanka to stop all forms of intimidation, harassment, and surveillance of journalists in the North-East. The journalists held photos of Tamil journalists, Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, Aiyathurai...
Tamil livestock farmers in Mayilathamadu and Madhavanai, Batticaloa, who are protesting state-sponsored Sinhalese settler violence, alleged that they were threatened by a group affiliated with paramilitary leader and Rajapaksa ally, Pillayan. As rallies took place across the North-East on May Day, Tamil farmers in Batticaloa marked 231 days of continuous protest to highlight the longstanding grievances of Tamil cattle farmers and their families who have been suffering from the violent encroachment by Sinhalese settlers on the grazing lands traditionally used by the Tamil farmers. The incident...