Today marks 14 years since the passing of the chief negotiator and political strategist of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Anton Balasingham. Balasingham, or as he was fondly known among Tamils - Bala Anna, was widely respected and adored by the nation. His charismatic addresses in venues around the world drew tens of thousands, as he provided political analysis with sharp wit. Leading LTTE delegations through numerous negotiations, Bala Anna eloquently and forcefully articulated the rights of the nation. His intellectual prowess and political acumen earned him respect from all sides of the negotiating table.
Tamil families of the disappeared held protests and rallies today across the North-East today, marking International Human Rights Day with calls for justice for their forcibly disappeared loved ones.
A ground breaking new Tamil Community Centre (TCC) is set to open in Canada, home to the largest Eelam Tamil diaspora in the world, to act as a multi-purpose space, with aims to provide vital community services benefiting both the Tamil and non-Tamil community in Toronto. The TCC facility will serve to “enhance the quality of life, health and wellbeing by providing equitable access to community services” said the City of Toronto, adding “it is intended that the TCC be a dynamic, innovative, multi-purpose, and nondenominational facility incorporating spaces and services to help address the current and growing needs of the diverse Canadian Tamil community, as well as Black, Indigenous and other equity-seeking groups by acting as a community hub”.
After US President-elect Joe Biden announced Antony Blinken as his pick for Secretary of State, we take a look at his previous comments on Sri Lanka, his internationalist and interventionist position and his remarks on American global leadership.
Fishermen in Mannar examine their wrecked boats. Tens of thosuands of people across the North-East have been impacted by Cyclone Burevi as it slammed into the island this week, leaving homes destroyed, scores displaced and at least one person missing. Wind speeds reached up to 90 kilometres per hour with rainfall exceeding 200mm in the affected areas as the cyclone hit and moved towards Tamil Nadu.
Cover art by Sindu S Hundreds of Tamils and non-Tamil allies took to Instagram yesterday to assert their determination to mark Maaveerar Naal and to remember the fallen fighters of the Tamil liberation struggle despite many contemporary obstacles such as censorship, the global pandemic and state crackdowns against memorialisation in the Tamil homeland. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TEEJAY (@teejayarunasalam) British Tamil musician and Kollywood actor Teejay Arunasalam The campaign, in which individuals posted photos of themselves with a raised palm accompanied by the hashtag #...
Tamils in the homeland braved Sri Lankan military intimidation and court orders to join others around the world and mark Maaveerar Naal on November 27, to remember and pay tribute to the Maaveerar who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for liberation.
Parliamentarians and government ministers from the Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Labour party across the UK marked Maaveerar Naal with messages of tributes and solidarity to the Tamil community in the UK and in the Tamil homeland for those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for freedom. Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, Minister and Conservatives MP Paul Scully and Labour Siobhain McDonagh were among the politicians to send messages this year.
Diaspora Tamils gathered across the world to observe Maaveerar Naal and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for freedom. See events from around the world below. British Tamils commemorate Maaveerar Naal Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Germany US Tamils mark Maaveerar Naal cross country
Several arrests have taken place and homes have been raided across the North-East today, as the Sri Lankan military began a crackdown in the Tamil homeland, as Eelam Tamils around the world commemorate Maaveerar Naal. Access to the destroyed cemeteries where tens of thousands of Tamil fighters were buried across the North-East has been blocked off by the Sri Lankan military, as a flurry of court orders last week banned commemorative events from taking place. Though private events were allowed, the Sri Lankan security forces carried out several raids, arrests and were heavily deployed. Amongst those arrested is a Jaffna-based priest, who had set up for a remembrance event at the Bishop of Jaffna’s home.