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Latest news

‘Don't force us to seek independent Tamil Nadu’ says DMK deputy general secretary
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP A Raja delivered a fiery speech in Nammakal this week, where he told the Central government to grant Tamil Nadu more... Read More
Myanmar accused of shooting dead two Tamils
Myanmar’s military has been accused of shooting dead two Tamils in the country, with tensions raised across the border in Manipur’s town of Moreh.... Read More
‘Bankrupt’ Sri Lanka may reach inflation of 60% admits prime minister
Sri Lanka’s prime minister admitted his government was negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a “bankrupt country” and warned of... Read More
Black Tigers Day commemorated in secret at Jaffna University
A group of university students marked Black Tigers Day at Jaffna University this morning, as they paid tribute to the fighters of the Liberation... Read More
Despite human rights concerns, US invites Sri Lanka to participate in largest maritime exercise
As part of Rim of the Pacific (RIPAC) 2022, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, the United States has invited Sri Lanka to... Read More
With Tamils dying in Swiss detention, protestors call for an end to cruel policy
Remembering the Black Tigers
Dhanush releases trailer for new film entitled ‘Captain Miller’
‘Sri Lankan army get out of Tamil Eelam’- Hundreds of Tamils gather in Brussels
Shaking hands with war criminals – Australia’s Home Affairs minister meets Sri Lankan military
A closer look at the Adani deal in Sri Lanka
Tamils protest as Sri Lankan army obstructs religious rites at Vadduvakal temple

Tamil devotees are protesting at Vadduvakal Saptha Kannimar temple this evening after the Sri Lankan army blocked them from performing religious rites at the temple which sits on land currently occupied by the armed forces. 

Tamil News

  • STF threatens to plant drugs and frame civilians

    We are STF not the police. We will put Kerala Cannabis(KG) and take them to the High Court - STF threatens the people. #Lka pic.twitter.com/WPO13RqW2P

    — Manjula Basnayake (@BasnayakeM) July 6, 2022...

  • War criminals join Go Home Gota protest

    Amidst ongoing protests demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, war criminals, formerly aligned with the President, have switched alliances and joined the protests.

  • ‘Tomorrow may be too late' warns SJB, citing Hitler, Mussolini and Gaddafi

    6.9 million people who voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted him to be a  Hitler,' claims Sri Lankan minister | Tamil Guardian

    Sri Lanka’s president was served a stark warning by Chief opposition whip Lakshman Kiriella this week, who cited the cases of Hitler, Mussolini and Gaddafi – three leaders who were killed or committed suicide – as to why...

  • With Tamils dying in Swiss detention, protestors call for an end to cruel policy

    Following the deaths of at least three Tamil asylum seekers in Swiss detention, campaigners have demanded an end to the policy of forcibly deporting Eelam Tamils to Sri Lanka and called for justice to be served.

    Dozens of protestors gathered outside of a deportation prison Bässlergut last...

  • Rare moment of sunshine for Mannar’s fishermen

    As Tamils across the North-East continue to grapple with Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, there was a moment of joy in Mannar last month after fishermen caught a rare giant tropical sunfish.

    Fishermen on the Gulf of Mannar noticed the unusual catch in their nets on June 22. As they pulled their nets up, they were stunned...

  • Britain warns against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka due to economic crisis

    As Sri Lanka’s economic crisis worsens, the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.

  • British government refuses to comment on investigation into KMS war crimes in Sri Lanka

    Responding to independent MP Claudia Webbe’s question on the Home Office’s investigation of war crimes committed by the Keenie Meenie Services (KMS) in Sri Lanka, Kit Malthouse, Minister of State in the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, refused to comment.

    “It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing investigations” he...

  • All smiles for Gotabaya Rajapaksa in parliament

    Sri Lanka’s president was seen laughing in conversation with his newly appointed prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in parliament this morning, shortly before lawmakers staged an impromptu protest demanding his resignation.

    Gotabaya Rajapaksa, an accused war criminal who has overseen Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis, is...

  • More Eelam Tamil refugees arrive in Tamil Nadu

    Eight Eelam Tamils from Valvettithurai arrived in Tamil Nadu as refugees today after fleeing the island due an unprecedented economic crisis.  

    The refugees were apprehended by the Rameswaram coast guard  and were taken to the police station to be investigated. Following an investigation, the eight Tamils will be placed in Mandapam refugee camp...

  • Remembering the Black Tigers

    21 Black Tiger elite commandos who took part in the raid on a Sri Lankan airbase in Anuradhapura, 2007

  • Sri Lanka's fuel supply to run out in a matter of days

    Sri Lanka's energy minister Kanachana Wijesekera warned that the cash-strapped nation fuel supply will last less than a day under the current demand as the country's economy continues to cripple. 

    On Sunday Wijesekera said that Sri Lanka has 12,774 tonnes of diesel and 4,061 tonnes of petrol left in...

  • Sri Lankan army investigates itself and blames ‘invisible elements’

    Within 24 hours of video footage of a Sri Lankan soldier assaulting a civilian at a petrol station emerging, the military launched an investigation into the incident and sent out a press release accusing “invisible elements” of trying to “ridicule members of the Army”.

  • Sri Lanka’s police chief warns of ‘Black July’ bomb attacks

    File photograph.

    Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has officially denied reports that it received intelligence a “terrorist attack… evoking ‘Black July’” will take place, after receiving a letter from the Inspector General of Police warning of such an attack.

    ...

  • Sri Lanka pledges ‘unwavering support’ to One China policy

    Sri Lanka’s foreign minister pledged his government’s “unwavering support to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity” as he met with China’s Ambassador Qi Zhenhong in Colombo last week.

    According to an official press release, Sri Lanka claimed China “...

  • Frustrated locals protest in Jaffna as fuel supplies run dry

    Hundreds of frustrated Tamils staged an impromptu sit-down protest on Saturday, as fuel shortages continued to plague the island and even essential workers unable to access supplies.

  • Elderly Eelam Tamil asylum seeker dies after being washed ashore in Tamil Nadu

    An elderly Eelam Tamil woman who was found unconscious on a beach in Tamil Nadu passed away on Saturday, after she fled Sri Lanka for India last month.

    The woman, identified as 71-year-old Parameswari from Trincomalee, was found alongside another elderly man, 81-year-old Sivan, on a beach in Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram last Monday.

  • Tamil National Heritage Forum member attacked in Jaffna

    The coordinator of the Tamil National Heritage Forum, S Nishanthan, was attacked by unknown persons in Jaffna on Friday.

    As Nishanthan was waiting near a fuel station in Jaffna, two unknown men with swords beat and slashed him several times.

    He has since been admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital for treatment. The perpetrators of...

  • Dhanush releases trailer for new film entitled ‘Captain Miller’

    Kollywood superstar Dhanush released a trailer for his latest film ‘Captain Miller’ this week, racking up millions of views within hours as it generated worldwide buzz.

    The eagerly anticipated film, which sees Dhanush in the starring role and is directed by Arun Matheswaran, caught the attention of many with its swashbuckling visuals...

  • Relatives demand justice for raped Tamil schoolgirl

    The family of a 16-year-old Tamil girl who was abducted and raped have demanded that...

  • ‘Without critical reforms, Sri Lanka could suffer further economic mismanagement’ – US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

    Following the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) visit to Sri Lanka, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has stressed that any agreement must be contingent on critical reforms of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and warned that without such reforms Sri Lanka would suffer further economic mismanagement and uncontrollable debt.

  • Eelam Tamil family of four arrive in India as refugees

    A family of four from Vavuniya arrived in India as refugees this week after being forced to leave due to Sri Lanka's worsening economic crisis. 

    The family were detained by the Indian authorities on arrival at Dhanushkodi and will be placed in Mandapam refugee camp following an investigation.

  • 'There is no connection between the OMP and us' - Vavuniya families of the disappeared

    Tamil families of the disappeared in Vavuniya rejected the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) and recent remarks made by Sri Lanka's foreign minister at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in regards to the progress the mechanism has made in investigating enforced disappearances. 

  • Tamils around the world arrive in New York for first day of the FeTNA summit

    On Friday, hundreds of Tamils arrived in New York for the 35th annual Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) summit. FeTNA is an umbrella organization of over sixty different member Tamil Sangams from across North America, which has been meeting annually since its inception in 1987.

    ...

  • Even Russia may avoid dealing with ‘bankrupt’ Sri Lanka

    Though Sri Lankan officials have been desperately attempting to entice Russia into supplying them with much-needed fuel supplies, Moscow’s ambassador to Sri Lanka told lawmakers that even Russia may not be able to do so.

    According to the Sunday Times, Russian Ambassador Yuri Materiy told the group of 10 parliamentarians that under Russian law...

  • Australian minister doubles down on borders after meeting another Sri Lankan war criminal

    Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil told reporters in Sri Lanka that her government’s much-criticised border policy was being enforced “more fiercely than it was before”, as she met with yet another accused war criminal last week.

  • Japan denies report it ‘will not help Sri Lanka’

    Japan’s embassy in Sri Lanka has denied reports that its ambassador told the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that Tokyo would not be assisting Sri Lanka during its economic crisis, following a visit to Jaffna this week.

  • Rajapaksa calls Putin to discuss Russian fuel for Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka’s war crimes accused president reportedly spoke over the phone to Russia’s war crimes accused president this week, as the two reportedly discussed how Moscow could send fuel to Colombo.

  • Gotabaya and Ranil thank Biden as US Ambassador tweets a reminder

    Sri Lanka’s war crimes accused president and newly appointed prime minister both sent messages of thanks to the United States this week, after US President Joe Biden announced US$20 million in aid to reportedly feed over 800,000 children.

  • British Shadow Minister calls for justice and Tamil self-determination

    British Shadow Minister for Transport Sam Tarry has reiterated his support for the self-determination of Tamils and justice for the atrocities they faced, as part of his campaign for reselection as MP for Ilford South in London.

  • Sri Lankan Special Task Force troop shoots himself dead

    A Sri Lankan sub inspector attached to the war crimes accused Special Task Force (STF) reportedly shot himself dead yesterday, the second such incident of a member of the security forces committing suicide in the last month alone.

    The incident reportedly took place in Kadawatha, located in the Sinhala south.

    Earlier in June, a Sri Lankan police officer attached to the Tangalle police...

World News

  • EU resumes funding of Palestinian NGOs

    The European Union (EU) has resumed funding of two prominent Palestinian organisations after a year-long suspension, following unfounded "terror" allegations made by Israel. 

     The European Commission sent letters several days ago to Al-Haq and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), informing them that their 13-month-long suspensions were lifted...

  • Human rights organisations call for investigation into Melilla deaths at Moroccan-Spanish border

    There are growing calls for an investigation into the deaths of at least 37 people who died at the fortified border of Melilla, Spain’s enclave in North Africa.

  • Finland and Sweden set to join NATO after Turkey drops objection

    Finland, Sweden and Turkey have signed a joint memorandum at the NATO summit in Madrid, which addresses Turkey's concern about the nordic nation's support for Kurdish organisations and thus paves the way for the country's formal invitation to the military...

  • 'Scotland has a right to self-determination' - Sturgeon sets date for independence referendum

    First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon has announced a proposed date for an independence referendum on 19 October 2023.

    Sturgeon says she wants to hold a second independence referendum on 19 October 2023. 

  • 'The brutal reality of a climate apartheid is unfolding before our eyes'

    A report by Oxfam has detailed that funding needed for climate disasters has risen more than 800% in 20 years, with half of all requested funding being unmet today.

    Danny Sriskandarajah, Oxfam GB’s chief executive, described the finance gap as “unacceptable”.

  • Anti-government protest continue in Ecuador as President declares state of emergency

    The national strike called by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) reached 12 days of protests on Friday, condemning the economic policies of Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso.

    The Indigenous leader Leonidas Iza on Tuesday demanded – among other things – that the government repeal the state of emergency decree and remove the...

  • Drought puts Somalia at risk of famine

    The horn of Africa has suffered four consecutive failed rainy seasons and is experiencing its worst drought in four decades, stressing food supplies already exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine. 

    Michael Dunford, the World Food Programme regional director for east Africa has called on governments to donate urgently to the horn of Africa, if they are to...

  • UK lawyers gather evidence for action against countries that failed to prevent Yazidi genocide

    A group of high-level British lawyers are compiling evidence that could hold as many as 10 countries responsible for the failure to prevent genocide against the Yazidis in northern Iraq. 

    The lawyers, who announced the collaboration as the Yazidi Justice Committee (YJC) on Tuesday have been investigating over the past two and half years the genocide committed from...

  • More than 250 killed in Ethiopia's Oromia region

    More than 250 people mostly from the Amhara ethnic group, have been killed in an attack in the Oromia region of Ethiopia on Saturday. 

    The attack reportedly began around 09:00 on Saturday and continued until about 13.00. Calls were made by residents to district authorities but help only came hours later.

  • ‘We know where to find him’ – The relentless harassment of Kashmir’s journalists

    The Caravan’s multimedia reporter, Shahid Tantray, has been summoned by Srinagar police following a relentless campaign of police intimidation and threats for his critical coverage of rights in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

  • Former Rwandan official on trial in French court on genocide charges

    A former senior Rwandan official, Laurent Bucyibaruta will be the most senior officer to date to face trial in France for his involvement in the Rwandan genocide, as his trial opened in the country last week.

    Bucyibaruta’s trial will be the fourth to be taken to trial in France in relation to the massacres of 1994. The trial is anticipated to last 2 months, and it has been announced that more than 100 witnesses (including survivors of the atrocities) will be called upon either in...

  • Palestinians mark 74th Nakba amid anger over journalist’s killing by Israeli forces

    Thousands of Palestinians rallied on Sunday during Nakba Day – which Palestinians call the “the catastrophe”.

  • Controversial UK policing bill receives royal assent to become law

    The UK’s controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 received royal assent to become UK law despite widespread criticism. 

  • Gaza under attack by Israeli forces

    Israel’s military has launched four missile strikes Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip during the holy month of Ramadan.

    The move follows reports that Israel’s army intercepted a rocket launched from the Gaza strip amidst growing tensions over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Thus far no Palestinian group has claimed responsibility for the rocket launch, which Israeli...

  • Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa Mosque, more than 150 Palestinians injured

    Israeli police have raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, with medics reporting at least 158 Palestinians injured.

    Israeli forces entered in force before dawn on Friday, as thousands of worshippers were gathered at the mosque for early morning prayers. 

    The Palestinian Red Crescent added that Israeli forces had hindered the arrival of ambulances and paramedics to the mosque, as Palestinian media said dozens of injured worshippers remained trapped inside the...

  • ‘Utterly reprehensible’ – Refugee Council slams UK plans to offshore asylum seekers in Rwanda

    Those entering the UK illegally, as well as those who have arrived illegally from 1 January, will now be relocated to Rwanda, the PM says.

    This will provide "safe and legal routes" for asylum whilst "disrupting the business models of the gangs", he addshttps://t.co/a3jSwzI8yb pic.twitter.com/YfhwNtwZWi

    — Sky News (@SkyNews...

  • Human Rights Watch documents war crimes against Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces

    Human Rights Watch has documented numerous cases of Russian military forces committing war crimes in the occupied Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions of Ukraine. 

    Between February 27 and March 14, 2022, Human Rights Watch learned of "unspeakable" acts of violence against Ukrainian civilians in Russian...

  • Hungary's authoritarian leader, Viktor Orban, secures fourth consecutive term

    Hungary’s authoritarian leader, Viktor Orban, secured a fourth consecutive term on Sunday in a landslide election victory. 

    Orban is at the helm of the right-wing Fidesz party, which acquired about 67.8% of the vote. He is credited with steering the party towards its overwhelming win on Sunday night. The...

  • Pope Francis apologises for 'deplorable' conduct in Roman Catholic schools in Canada

    Pope Francis has apologized to Indigenous delegates for the conduct of some members of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada’s residential school system. 

  • Jamaica announces intent to become a republic as protests against British monarchy continue

    Jamaica's prime minister, Andrew Holness has told the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that his country is "moving on" and intends to become a republic. 

    Representatives from the British monarchy's arrival in Jamaica on Tuesday coincided with major demonstrations urging them to pay reparations for slavery and calls from senior politicians for the...

  • US declares Myanmar committed genocide against Rohingya

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Myanmar’s violence and killings of Rohingya amounted to genocide, in a speech made at the Holocaust Memorial Museum earlier today.

    “The United States has concluded that genocide has been committed seven times,” said Blinken. “Today marks the eighth.”

    “I have determined...

  • 'Nowhere on earth are people more at risk than Tigray' - WHO chief

    The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted the ongoing crisis occurring in Tigray, starting that there is no where on earth where "people are more at risk".

    At a press conference in Geneva on Wednesday, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus implicitly addressed those concerns. He said such was the scale of the crisis, it would be a...

  • Lithuania cancels vaccine delivery to Bangladesh after abstention at UN

    Lithuania has reportedly cancelled the delivery of more than 400,000 doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh, citing Dhaka’s refusal to vote in favour of a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    According to reports, Rasa Jakilaitienė, a spokeswoman for Lithuania’s prime minister said the shipment of 444,600 doses which was agreed upon just last week, was now cancelled.

  • Ukraine claims Russia is committing genocide – and takes it to court

    Several senior Ukrainian officials, including president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have claimed Russian actions verged on "genocide" with proceedings underway at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

    Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, told the UN General Assembly that Russia had "come to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist. They have come to...

  • British foreign secretary 'absolutely' supports individual Brits going to fight in Ukraine, Russia puts nuclear deterrence forces on high alert

    Foreign secretary Lizz Truss has said she would "absolutely" support individual Brits going to fight Russian forces in Ukraine. 

    Following an announcement made by Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, who pledged to arm the country's international "friends" who chose to travel to Ukraine to fight alongside them.

    Lizz Truss was asked whether she would support the call during an appearance on the BBC's Sunday Morning programme.

    She said, "I do support that. Of course, that...

  • ICC may exercise its jurisdiction in Ukraine to investigate possible war crimes

    International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan on Friday expressed his concern over the Russian invasion of Ukraine and said his court may investigate possible war crimes in the country. 

    Khan who is currently on a mission In Bangladesh said in his statement...

  • Head of torturous Afghan jail on trial, 30 years later, in Dutch court

    Pul-e-Charki Prison, Kabul, January 2012...

  • 'They slap a price on you' - Ethiopian officials accused of extorting arbitrarily detained Tigrayans 

    In a damning report by Al Jazeera, reporters uncovered a series of incidents where Ethiopian security officers have been extorting and abusing Tigrayan civilians detained without charge. 

    Since an influx of arbitrary arrests last...

  • Sports and politics in action – Formula 1 and UEFA cancel Russian events

    In the aftermath of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, both the UEFA Champions League and Formula 1 have cancelled scheduled sporting events in Russia.

    European football's governing body held an emergency meeting earlier this morning and announced that the 2022 Champions League final will be played in Paris, instead of St Petersburg on 28 May.

  • Bangladesh journalists 'under attack' - UN rights experts warn

    In a statement released earlier this month, five UN Special Rapporteurs highlighted the "appalling and pervasive culture of impunity in Bangladesh," over the failure of Bangladeshi authorities to ensure justice for two journalists killed ten years ago.

Remember May 2009

Editorial

Recognition overdue
Seizing the moment in Sri Lanka
The same old act

Features

Remembering the Black Tigers
Tamil Eelam – Tamil Nadu links draw closer as flight and ferries set to resume
A closer look at the Adani deal in Sri Lanka

Opinion

Elderly Eelam couple found unconscious on Tamil Nadu beach
Ontario's lawyers defend the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act
Melvin Mariathas
'We must continue the fight to end fortress Australia'
Ben Hillier

Culture & Community

Dhanush releases trailer for new film entitled ‘Captain Miller’
Tamils around the world arrive in New York for first day of the FeTNA summit
‘Bharathiyar Vizha’ celebrated in Mannar with performances and Tamil poetry

Interview

‘We have nothing to lose anymore’ – Interview with Ananthy Sasitharan
‘Sri Lanka’s Rebel Wife’ - Kannan Arunasalam on telling the story of ‘the single biggest disappearance event in the history of the conflict’
India's security interests, Sri Lanka and the 13th Amendment - Interview with Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam
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