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Latest news

Tamils continue to demand justice for murdered youth
Relatives of a Tamil youth, who was reportedly tortured to death under Sri Lankan police custody, staged a protest in Jaffna this week, demanding... Read More
‘This should not happen again’ – Father of murdered Tamil boy demands justice
The father of a 13-year-old Tamil boy who was reportedly tortured to death after being arrest by Sri Lankan police and sent to a reformatory school... Read More
Sri Lankan police fire shots in Jaffna as unknown men wield machetes
Gunshots were fired in Jaffna this week as Sri Lankan police reportedly gave chase to a gang of unknown persons armed with machetes, amidst ongoing... Read More
Exclusive - Sri Lanka’s confidential briefing to British MPs
Ahead of a debate in Britian’s parliament later today, the Sri Lankan High Commission sent a confidential briefing to lawmakers claiming that Colombo... Read More
Sri Lanka appoints war criminals to run sports
The Sri Lankan government has appointed two military figures accused of committing war crimes – including a general who is banned from entering the... Read More
'I just feel like there’d be no joy without art' - Interview with Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran
‘You Have Been Told a Lie - Blood, Borders and Biloela’ wins Australian Podcast Award
"The women in our lives are fighters… in every which way" - Interview with Priya Guns
Ayyankulam massacre remembered 16 years on
Thousands across Mullaitivu commemorate Maaveerar Naal
Tamils defy Sri Lankan crackdown to remember heroes in every district - Maaveerar Naal 2023
'Generations of oppression have been suffered by the Tamil people' - British politicians debate human rights situation in Sri Lanka

British parliamentarians from across the political spectrum participated in a Westminster Hall debate on Tamils and human rights in Sri Lanka, with many urging the UK government to consider sanctioning Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes. 

Tamil News

  • LIVE – British Parliament debate on Tamils, human rights and Sri Lanka

  • Rs 1.1 million spent on 'entertainment' in five days on five Sri Lankan military officers

    The Defence Service Command and Staff College (DSCSC) has spent Rs 1.1 million on "entertainment expenses" on five Sri Lankan military officers, a National Audit report revealed. 

    The Rs 1.1 million was spent on food and refreshments during a visit to the DSCSC in 2022 by the Defence Ministry Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, the commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force. 

  • Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Indonesia

    Eelam Tamils in Indonesia joined the rest of the diaspora and Tamils in the homeland in marking the 36th Maaveerar Naal. 

  • In Pictures - Tamils commemorate Maaveerar Naal across Australia

    All photographs courtesy of Thaarakam

    Tamils in Australia marked Maaveerar Naal with a series of remembrance events across the country. 

    Events took place in Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. 

  • Tamils in Canada mark Maaveerar Naal

    All photographs courtesy of Ninaivukal

    Tamils in Toronto, Canada, held a comemmoration event on November 27 to mark Maaveerar Naal. 

    See more photographs here and below: 

  • Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Tamil Nadu

    Across Tamil Nadu, thousands of Tamils, including prominent politicians, gathered to commemorate Maaveerar Naal, as Tamils across the world remember those who lost their lives in the Tamil struggle for liberation. 

    Thol. Thirumavalavan, Founder-President, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, marked the event in Chennai by lighting a flame. Marking the...

  • Tamils across France commemorate Maaveerar Naal

     Tamils in Paris, France joined Tamils in the homeland and across the diaspora in marking Maaveerar Naal. 

  • ‘My son was murdered’ – Outrage as Tamil child reportedly tortured to death

    A teenage Tamil boy was tortured to death according to his family, after being arrested by Sri Lankan police and sent to a reformatory home in Amparai.

    13-year-old Ananthadevan Darsanth, from Kokuvil in Batticaloa, was arrested by Sri Lankan police officers for allegedly stealing a bell and lamp from a local...

  • 'I just feel like there’d be no joy without art' - Interview with Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran

  • Tamils unite in Finland to mark Maaveerar Naal

    Tamils gathered in Finland to mark Maaveerar Naal. 

  • Tamils in Belgium commemorate Maaveerar Naal

    Tamils gathered in Antwerp to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.

  • Tamils gather in Italy to commemorate Maaveerar Naal

    Tamils gathered in Palermo to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.

    The Governor of the City of Palermo and several Italian dignitaries were also present.

  • Sri Lanka and India’s leaders met at COP 28

    Amidst the United National Climate Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to discuss a variety of issues.

  • Growing tensions in Mayilathamadu Madhavanai as Tamil cattle farmers face threats from Sinhalese occupiers

    In the Mayilathamadu Madhavanai area in Batticaloa, tensions are escalating between Sinhalese occupiers and Tamil cattle farmers, as a disturbing trend of brutal attacks on cattle by Sinhalese settlers continues to unfold. The situation, which poses a direct threat to the livelihoods and safety of Tamil farmers, has reached a critical point.

  • ‘You Have Been Told a Lie - Blood, Borders and Biloela’ wins Australian Podcast Award

    The podcast miniseries ‘You Have Been Told a Lie - Blood, Borders and Biloela’ has won best podcast in the News and Current Affairs category. Centring around the Nadesalingam family, who hit the headlines and became referred to as the ‘Biloela family,’ the miniseries deconstructs the narrative over six episodes.

  • Sri Lankan police disrupt remembrance of Othiyamalai massacre in Mullaitivu

    Oddusuddan police disrupted an event to remember the 32 Tamils that were massacred in Othiyamalai, Mullaitivu by the Sri Lankan army in 1984. 

  • Schoolboy and baker amongst those arrested by Sri Lanka, as more Tamils detained under PTA

    As many as 11 Tamils, including a Batticaloa schoolboy, have now been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), after Maaveerar Naal commemorations this week.

    As tens of thousands paid tribute to those who died in the Tamil liberation struggle, Sri Lankan authorities launched a crackdown, which included storming...

  • ‘Rightsized’ Sri Lankan military is 150,000 claims minister

    Sri Lanka will aim to have a military numbering at 150,000 said a state minister last week, as he rebuffed calls for further demilitarisation and stressed there would be “no impact on national security”.

    Earlier this month, a Sri Lankan lawmaker admitted that the island is one of the most militarised places in the world, stating that...

  • More medals for Sri Lankan peacekeepers despite child sex ring scandal

    Sri Lankan soldiers stationed with the United Nations Peacekeepers in the Central African Republic were given medals earlier this month, despite their involvement in grievous human rights abuses during previous peacekeeping missions.

    According to Sri Lanka’s ministry of defence, Sri Lankan troops were...

  • International condemnation of Sri Lanka’s PTA arrests of Tamils

    Seized decorations which saw Tamils arrested under the PTA this week.

    Statements have been released by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the US, the UK, the EU and Canada today, condemning the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as authorities detained several...

  • ‘This is your truth and justice?’

    Tamil parliamentarian Selvarajah Kajendran confronted Sri Lankan police officers as they stormed Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Batticaloa on Monday.

  • Which historical figure would you dine with? Prabhakaran, answers DMK MP

    Tamil Nadu parliamentarian Thamizhachi Thangapandian said she would apologise to Velupillai Prabhakaran - “the honourable Tamil national leader” – for the Mullivaikkal genocide which saw tens of thousands...

  • "The women in our lives are fighters… in every which way" - Interview with Priya Guns

    In her debut novel ‘Your Driver is Waiting’, Priya Guns challenges us to rethink the lies we are told about capitalism. Following the death of her beloved Appa at his minimum wage job, Damani’s life is thrown into turmoil. Unable to put her degree to use, she keeps her family afloat, driving her late father’s old car for a ride-share company. 

  • Sri Lanka dependent on Indian approval to develop Trinco oil tanks

    Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister, Kanchana Wijesekara, has admitted that the country use of the oil tanks in Trincomalee hinges upon Indian approval due to an agreement signed in 2022.

  • Maaveerar Naal Commemorated in Germany

    Tamils across Germany gathered together in Dortmund to mark Maaveera Naal. 

     

  • CV Wigneswaran accuses Sri Lanka of pushing for the Sinhala displacement of Tamils

    Leader of the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootan (TMTK), CV Wigneswaran, accused Sri Lankan authorities of supporting Sinhala settlers to displace native Tamils in the North and East.

  • ‘Arrested for remembering their loved ones’ - British MP slams arrest of Tamils 

    Responding to the arrest of 7 Tamils by Sri Lankan police during Maaveerar Naal commemorations, British MP Siobhain McDonagh stressed the need to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and respect the right of Tamils to remember their loved ones.  

    Very concerned by the Sri Lankan govt preventing Tamil memorialisation, and the arrests of Tamils in the North-East.

    They were arrested under the...

  • Maaveerar Naal 2023 marked worldwide

    Tamils across the world marked Maaveerar Naal on Monday, paying tribute to the men and women who laid down their lives for the liberation of Tamil Eelam.

    Whilst a crackdown was underway in the North-East, around the world - from Australia, to Europe to the United States - several large scale commemorations were held.

    See a round up of events that took place around the world below.

  • Sri Lanka sees ‘terrorism’ in flags and candles – 7 Tamils held under PTA

    Sri Lanka has arrested and detained at least 7 Tamils under the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as part of a crackdown against Maaveerar Naal remembrance events this week.

    The arrests, which came mainly in the East, were carried out as Tamils carried red and yellow flags or speakers, to take to Maaveerar Naal commemorations, which...

  • Tamils in Scotland mark Maaveerar Naal

    Tamils in Scotland joined Tamils in the homeland and across the diaspora in marking Maaveerar Naal. 

World News

  • US determines warring factions in Sudan conflict have committed war crimes

    The Biden administration said Wednesday it has determined that both sides in the ongoing conflict in Sudan have committed atrocities in the African nation’s western region of Darfur and elsewhere,...

  • US files war crimes charges against Russian soldiers

    The Justice Department has filed war crime charges against four members of the Russian military accused of abducting and torturing an American during the invasion of Ukraine.

  • US sanction two Russian military officials for human rights violations

    The  United States have sanctioned two russian military officials for their "involvement in gross violations of human rights" in Ukraine.

    Secretary of State Anthony Blinken imposed visa restrictions on Russian Armed Forces Col. Azatbek Omurbekov, also known as “The Butcher of Bucha,” and Guard Corporal Daniil Frolkin. They were sanctioned for involvement...

  • 20,000 have fled Ukraine since war began to avoid being drafted

    Nearly 20,000 men have fled Ukraine since the outbreak of war to avoid being drafted. 

    The BBC reports that  Another 21,113 men attempted to flee but were caught by the Ukrainian authorities.

    After Russia's invasion, most men aged 18-60 were banned from leaving. But data obtained by the BBC reveals dozens have made it out daily.

    The BBC has established - by requesting data of illegal border crossings from neighbouring Romania, Moldova, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia - that...

  • Lawyers representing Gaza victims file case at International Criminal Court

    A group of lawyers representing Palestinian victims of Israeli attacks on Gaza have filed a complaint to the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing that Israel’s actions amount to the crime of genocide.

    Gilles Devers, a veteran French lawyer and the victims’ representative before the ICC, submitted the complaint to the prosecutor as...

  • UN experts call on international community to prevent genocide against Palestinian people

    Grave violations committed by Israel against Palestinians in the aftermath of 7 October, particularly in Gaza, point to a genocide in the making, UN experts said last week.

  • South Africa refers Israel to ICC and calls for arrest warrant to be issued to Netanyahu

     South Africa has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

    “As South Africa we have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court,”  South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on...

  • French Court issues arrest warrant for Bashar al-Assad in Syria war crimes case

    A French court has issued an international arrest warrant for the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for complicity in war crimes against humanity linked to a chemical weapons attack.

  • EU condemns violence in Darfur and warns of 'another genocide'

    The European Union has condemned an escalation of violence in the Darfur region, situated in Sudan, warning of "another genocide". 

    The EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell cited in a statement witness reports that more than 1,000 members of the Masalit community were killed in Ardamta, West Darfur, in just over two days earlier this week during attacks by the...

  • Pakistan opens three new border crossings as expulsion order impacts 1.7 million people

    Pakistan on Monday opened three new border crossings to accelerate the repatriation of undocumented Afghan nationals who have been ordered to leave the country or face expulsion, officials said.

    The new crossings were set up at the Afghan border in southwestern Balochistan province in addition to the main crossing in Chaman district, said Jan Achakzai,...

  • Sunak to introduce emergency legislation as Supreme court reject Rwanda Plan

    Five judges at the supreme court unanimously upheld an appeal court ruling that found there was a real risk of deported refugees having their claims in the east African country wrongly assessed or being returned to their country of origin to face persecution.

  • Ex-ICC Chief Prosecutor decries Israel’s blockage of Gaza as genocide

    Luis Moreno Ocampo has called Isarel's blockade of Gaza as a "crime against humanity and a genocide.

    Speaking to BBC Newsday the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court condemned the attacks by Hamas and Israel's blockade of Gaza. 

    He said, 

  • UN Experts call for the prevention of Genocide in Gaza as hospitals and schools are bombed

    A panel of UN experts have called the bombings of schools and hospitals in Gaza as crimes against humanity and highlighted the "risk of genocide against the Palestinian people".

  • 'Ethnic Cleansing committed in Darfur' - UK Minister for Africa

    The escalation in fatalities and severe human rights violations against innocent civilians in Darfur, including refugees and internally displaced people, is worsening six months into the deadly conflict in Sudan.

  • 'Meta should immediately pay reparations to the Rohingya' - Amnesty International

    Meta should immediately pay reparations to the Rohingya for the role that Facebook played in the ethnic cleansing of the persecuted minority group, Amnesty International said today, on the sixth anniversary of the Myanmar military’s brutal operation during which they raped Rohingya women and girls, burned down entire villages, and killed thousands.

  • Australia rejects proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in constitution

    Australians have rejected a proposal to recognise Aboriginal people in the country’s constitution and establish a body to advise parliament on Indigenous issues.

    Saturday’s voice to parliament referendum failed, with the defeat clear shortly after polls closed.

    To succeed, the yes campaign – advocating for the voice – needed to secure a double majority, meaning it needed both a majority of the national vote, as well as majorities in four of Australia’s six states.

  • International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia releases final report

    The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) released its final report today detailing human rights violations committed during the two-year war in Tigray, Amhara, Afar and ongoing conflict in the...

  • Myanmar Junta accused of bombing Kachin state refugee camp

    Dozens of people have been killed by an artillery strike on a refugee camp in the Kachin state.

    30 people, including women and children, were killed in Myanmar in an artillery strike on a camp for displaced people in Kachin State near the border with China

  • Israel uses white phosphorous in Gaza and Lebanon as Palestinian death toll rises above 1500

    Israel's use of white phosphorous "violates international humanitarian law", Human Rights Watch reports following attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. 

  • Israel cuts food, water and electricity supply to Gaza as bombardment continues

    srael has declared a "complete siege" on Gaza as the United Nations states there is "clear evidence" of war crimes...

  • Pakistan plans deportation of 1.7 million Afghan refugees

    Pakistan has ordered for the deportation of an estimated 1.7 million Afghan refugees by the end of November, in a move the Taliban has opposed as “unacceptable”.

  • India asks Canada to remove 41 diplomatic staff from Delhi embassy

    India has told Canada to remove 41 of its 62 staff in the country, in an escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. 

  • Former Bolivian President to pay damages to families of protestors killed during his tenure

    A former Bolivian president and his defence minister have agreed to pay damages to the families of people killed by the military during their government, in a landmark settlement that sets a precedent by which other foreign leaders could face accountability for human rights abuse in US courts.

  • Thousands of ethnic Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan seizes control

    Thousands of ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh on Monday in lines of cars which stretched for kilometres after Azerbaijan took control of the breakaway region sparking fears of persecution.

  • US recognises Cook Islands and Niue

    The United States has recognised the Cook Islands and Niue as “sovereign and independent” states and pledged to open diplomatic relations.

    In a statement on Monday, Biden said “the history and the future of the Pacific Islands and the United States are inextricably linked...

  • 'Credible evidence' India linked to assassination of Canadian Sikh

    Justin Trudeau has said there is “credible evidence” India is responsible for the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh leader.

    The Canadian prime minister told the House of Commons of Canada on Monday that, in recent weeks, national security authorities had been...

  • Senior Ugandan officials including President and his son accused of Crimes Against Humanity

    Testimonies from over 200 people accusing the Ugandan president, his son, and other senior officials of killings, torture, and other crimes against humanity have been submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

    In total, there are 26 officials that have been accused of aiding the incarceration and systemic abuse of Ugandans who supported opposition leader Bobi Wine in 2021.

  • 80 Afghan Civilians allegedly killed by SAS

    Eighty Afghans may have been victims of summary killings by three separate British SAS units operating in the country between 2010 and 2013, lawyers representing the bereaved families have told a public inquiry.

    One of the elite soldiers is believed to have “personally killed” 35 Afghans on a single six-month tour of duty as part of an alleged policy to terminate “all fighting-age males” in homes raided, “regardless of the threat they posed”.

  • Genocide warnings in Darfur as calls for sanctions against the RSF

    British MPs have been warned of the possibility of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and urged to put pressure on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, which has been accused of murder and arson attacks on minority groups in the area.

  • Sudan ceasefire breaks down as fighting escalates

    Fighting has intensified in several areas of Khartoum after a ceasefire deal between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) expired on Saturday. 

Remember May 2009

Editorial

EDITORIAL - Still rebuilding, still resisting
Cameron’s second shot
Reflections on Genocide

Features

Maaveerar Naal 2023 marked worldwide
Tamils defy Sri Lankan crackdown to remember heroes in every district - Maaveerar Naal 2023
US joins hands with Adani in controversial Sri Lankan port deal

Opinion

Reclaiming the right to mourn
Yasmin Sooka
An Open Letter to Ranil Wickremesinghe
Sriskanda Rajah
An Open Letter to Mahinda Rajapaksa
Sriskanda Rajah

Culture & Community

'I just feel like there’d be no joy without art' - Interview with Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran
Krishna Selvaseelan,
‘You Have Been Told a Lie - Blood, Borders and Biloela’ wins Australian Podcast Award
Krishna Selvaseelan,
"The women in our lives are fighters… in every which way" - Interview with Priya Guns
Niroshehaa Ragunathan,

Interview

‘Prisoner #1056’ chronicles Tamil resilience - Interview with Roy Ratnavel
Santhana Arnold,
‘Sri Lanka must be referred to the ICC’ – CV Wigneswaran speaks with Tamil Guardian
‘Sri Lanka’s judiciary is not free and independent' – Sandya Ekneligoda speaks with Tamil Guardian
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