Bharathiraja sustained a record of public solidarity with Eelam Tamils that stretched from the ceasefire years to the final period of his life. It expressed itself as physical presence, political speech, open letters and legal demands, and it ran across more than two decades without interruption.
Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the country's state of public emergency, with all seven votes against the measure cast by Tamil Members of Parliament.
The motion was passed by 135 votes in favour and seven against, a majority of 128. The seven MPs who opposed the extension were Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Sivagnanam Shritharan, K. Kodeeswaran, G. Srineshan, T. Ravikaran, E. Srinath and P. Sathiyalingam.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Sivagnanam Shritharan has strongly condemned the detention of Kilinochchi-based rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), describing the arrest as a grave attack on freedom of expression and warning that opposition across the North-East was rising.
Speaking in parliament on 9 June, Shritharan questioned how an artist could be arrested under the PTA for performing a song, calling it "a tragic incident in the country's history".
"The right to sing is restricted, the right to speak is restricted, the right to write is restricted and the right to gather is restricted," he said, arguing that the PTA continued to be used to suppress dissent despite longstanding promises to repeal the legislation.
Kerala rapper Vedan has raised the arrest of detained Eelam Tamil artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar with Tamil Nadu's Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu, as condemnation of the Sri Lankan government's use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against the young rapper continues to spread.
Sri Lanka's Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala told parliament on 9 June that the government would not permit any activities that could be seen as promoting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), while also claiming that individuals remained free to observe commemorations for relatives who died during the conflict.
Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been officially named as a suspect in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 individuals in Colombo and its suburbs, in incidents believed to have been carried out for ransom.
According to Sri Lankan media reports, court officials have issued notice requiring Wijegunaratne to appear before the Colombo Magistrate's Court on 27 July.
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of hypocrisy over the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), pointing to NPP politicians who had themselves circulated songs glorifying the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during election campaigns.
A memorial event honouring veteran Tamil nationalist singer and lyricist Thenisai Sellappa was held in T Nagar, Chennai, on Saturday (June 6), bringing together supporters and members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) to commemorate his life and contribution to the Tamil national cause.
The event, led by NTK chief Seeman, paid tribute to the late artist, who is remembered for dedicating his writing, music and voice to the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle. Seeman reflected on the sacrifices made during the Tamil national movement and hailed Thenisai Sellappa's enduring legacy as a cultural figure whose songs inspired generations.
Sri Lankan Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be arrested and executed, in remarks that stand in sharp contrast to his own unaddressed record of alleged war crimes against Tamils.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District parliamentarian Gnanamuthu Srinesan has warned that a proposal by Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a separate judicial mechanism for Buddhist clergy would undermine the rule of law and entrench a discriminatory legal order in Sri Lanka.
Nine skeletal remains, including those of eight children, were fully exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave on Tuesday (June 9) as excavations at the site continued to uncover further evidence of burials.
The excavation marked the 20th day of work under the third phase of investigations at the Chemmani mass grave. During Tuesday’s proceedings, nine skeletal remains that had previously been identified, including eight belonging to children, were completely exhumed.
Sri Lanka's Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala told parliament on 9 June that the government would not permit any activities that could be seen as promoting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), while also claiming that individuals remained free to observe commemorations for relatives who died during the conflict.
Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been officially named as a suspect in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 individuals in Colombo and its suburbs, in incidents believed to have been carried out for ransom.
According to Sri Lankan media reports, court officials have issued notice requiring Wijegunaratne to appear before the Colombo Magistrate's Court on 27 July.
Kerala rapper Vedan has raised the arrest of detained Eelam Tamil artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar with Tamil Nadu's Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu, as condemnation of the Sri Lankan government's use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against the young rapper continues to spread.
Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the country's state of public emergency, with all seven votes against the measure cast by Tamil Members of Parliament.
The motion was passed by 135 votes in favour and seven against, a majority of 128. The seven MPs who opposed the extension were Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Sivagnanam Shritharan, K. Kodeeswaran, G. Srineshan, T. Ravikaran, E. Srinath and P. Sathiyalingam.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Sivagnanam Shritharan has strongly condemned the detention of Kilinochchi-based rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), describing the arrest as a grave attack on freedom of expression and warning that opposition across the North-East was rising.
Speaking in parliament on 9 June, Shritharan questioned how an artist could be arrested under the PTA for performing a song, calling it "a tragic incident in the country's history".
A memorial event honouring veteran Tamil nationalist singer and lyricist Thenisai Sellappa was held in T Nagar, Chennai, on Saturday (June 6), bringing together supporters and members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) to commemorate his life and contribution to the Tamil national cause.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District parliamentarian Gnanamuthu Srinesan has warned that a proposal by Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a separate judicial mechanism for Buddhist clergy would undermine the rule of law and entrench a discriminatory legal order in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be arrested and executed, in remarks that stand in sharp contrast to his own unaddressed record of alleged war crimes against Tamils.
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of hypocrisy over the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), pointing to NPP politicians who had themselves circulated songs glorifying the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during election campaigns.
Artists, activists and members of the public gathered in Vavuniya on Monday to demand the immediate release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeshkumar, who remains detained under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) parliamentarian S. Shritharan has written to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake calling for the release of Tamil rapper Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan, who remains detained under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Provincial Council elections are unlikely to be held before 2027, according to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva, who claimed funds set aside for the polls were used instead to deal with the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
Silva made the remarks during a visit to Jaffna for the opening of the National People's Power's (NPP) new district office, where he was questioned by journalists on whether the government intended to conduct Provincial Council elections before the end of this year.
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Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the country's state of public emergency, with all seven votes against the measure cast by Tamil Members of Parliament.
Kerala rapper Vedan has raised the arrest of detained Eelam Tamil artist Sangeethsan Ganeskumar with Tamil Nadu's Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu, as condemnation of the Sri Lankan government's use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against the young rapper continues to spread.
Sri Lanka's Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala told parliament on 9 June that the government would not permit any activities that could be seen as promoting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), while also claiming that individuals remained free to observe commemorations for relatives who died during the conflict.
Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been officially named as a suspect in connection with the abduction and disappearance of 11 individuals in Colombo and its suburbs, in incidents believed to have been carried out for ransom.
Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of hypocrisy over the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), pointing to NPP politicians who had themselves circulated songs glorifying the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during election campaigns.
A memorial event honouring veteran Tamil nationalist singer and lyricist Thenisai Sellappa was held in T Nagar, Chennai, on Saturday (June 6), bringing together supporters and members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) to commemorate his life and contribution to the Tamil national cause.
Sri Lankan Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has called for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be arrested and executed, in remarks that stand in sharp contrast to his own unaddressed record of alleged war crimes against Tamils.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) Batticaloa District parliamentarian Gnanamuthu Srinesan has warned that a proposal by Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake to establish a separate judicial mechanism for Buddhist clergy would undermine the rule of law and entrench a discriminatory legal order in Sri Lanka.
Nine skeletal remains, including those of eight children, were fully exhumed from the Chemmani mass grave on Tuesday (June 9) as excavations at the site continued to uncover further evidence of burials.
Artists, activists and members of the public gathered in Vavuniya on Monday to demand the immediate release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeshkumar, who remains detained under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The National Council of Tamil Canadians (NCCT) have called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar and stated that his arrest was not an "isolated incident" but forms part of the "ongoing genocide" against the Tamil nation.
The Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) Canada and twelve Tamil Students' Associations have strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, known professionally as Hiphop Sangee, under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Provincial Council elections are unlikely to be held before 2027, according to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva, who claimed funds set aside for the polls were used instead to deal with the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.
Patali Champika Ranawaka, the former Sri Lankan cabinet minister and one-time General Secretary of the Sinhala nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), drew attention this week after calling for the humane treatment of detainees – remarks that are in sharp contrast to his previous comments on Tamils.
The mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, has called for the immediate release of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar, known professionally as Hiphop Sangee, who has been imprisoned since his arrest under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) parliamentarian S. Shritharan has written to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake calling for the release of Tamil rapper Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan, who remains detained under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Amnesty International has called for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethan Ganeshkumar and renewed demands for the repeal of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the legislation continues to facilitate arbitrary detention and human rights abuses.
Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing".
Further human remains, including a cluster of six skeletons believed to contain children, were identified on Monday during ongoing excavations at the Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna.
At least 64 people, including 13 children, have been killed in an attack on a hospital in Sudan’s Darfur region, as violence continues to devastate the already collapsing healthcare system.
On Thursday, FIFA sanctioned the Israel Football Association over breaches of racism and discrimination, but cleared Israeli clubs playing in settlements.
A woman who told a protest crowd that Hamas is “fighting for freedom” has been found not guilty of expressing support for a proscribed organisation, following a closely watched case in a British court.
Spain has withdrawn its ambassador to Israel in the latest escalation of a deepening diplomatic dispute between Madrid and Tel Aviv over Israel’s assault on Gaza and the recent United States and Israeli attacks on Iran.
A former colonel in Syria’s Air Force Intelligence has appeared before a London court charged with crimes against humanity, in what prosecutors say is the first case of its kind brought under British law.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has said it will keep its peacekeeping force in the town of Akobo despite an order by the South Sudanese military to vacate the area ahead of a planned offensive.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day state visit to Israel on Thursday, bolstering cooperation in multiple areas, including defence, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and agriculture.
Scottish independence is “within reach”, First Minister John Swinney has said, as a new poll projects the Scottish National Party just one seat short of a majority ahead of this year’s Holyrood election.
A United Nations fact-finding mission has determined that atrocities carried out during the siege and takeover of the Sudanese city of El Fasher bear the “hallmarks of genocide”, condemning the conduct of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters in Darfur during the ongoing conflict.
As international criticism mounts over the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) involvement in Tehran's fatal suppression of anti-government protests, the UK government reportedly set to introduce legislation that would enable it to officially outlaw the organisation.
The action comes after the European Union made the decision last month to put the IRGC to its official list of terrorist organisations, adding groups like Islamic State, Hamas, and al-Qaeda.
Tibetans around the world began a global election on Sunday to choose a parliament and political leadership for the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
India and the European Union have announced a sweeping free trade agreement that both sides have hailed as the “mother of all deals”, concluding nearly two decades of intermittent negotiations.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that the global order that shaped international politics for decades “is not coming back”, urging “middle powers” to act collectively as great power rivalry intensifies.
The Syrian government has announced a four-day ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) after the army continued to seize territory in the country’s northeast.
This week, the charge that Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya went before the International Court of Justice for three weeks of testimony.
United States President Donald Trump has said the US has carried out a “large scale strike” against Venezuela and “captured” the country’s leader, President Nicolas Maduro.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on last week that it will hold hearings in a case accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against its Rohingya minority.