Features

Features

Latest news from and about the homeland

A Sri Lankan soldier who has joined the Ukrainian army. “What is your name?” barks the gruff voice off-camera. “Fernando,” replies the Sri Lankan soldier, terrified and in tears. His hands are bound together and he is still wearing his military issued flak jacket and helmet. His captors hand him a Red Bull to drink, as they continue to question him. ‘Fernando’ is just one of hundreds of…

Tamil Guardian's 2024 Wrapped

Marking the New Year, Tamil Guardian takes a look back on the major events in the Tamil homeland, in Sri Lanka and across the diaspora over the last year.

Explainer: Which Sri Lankan officials have been sanctioned so far?

The United States and Canada, have taken steps to impose targeted sanctions on high-ranking Sri Lankan officials

Indian PM Modi hosts Sri Lankan president in New Delhi

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi this week.

Remembering Bala Anna 18 years on

Today marks 18 years since the passing of the chief negotiator and political strategist of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Anton Balasingham. 

US sanctions Sri Lankan officials over corruption

The United States has sanctioned two Sri Lankan officials and their immediate families over corruption, rendering them unable to enter the country in a move to mark International Human Rights Day. Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga and the former CEO of Sri Lanka Airlines Kapila Chandrasena have both been sanctioned for their “involvement in significant corruption”.

Sri Lankan militarisation continues in the Tamil homeland

The Sri Lankan army continues its militarisation of the Tamil homeland through a variety of strategies, from entering schools to building infrastructure for the military - despite a new government coming into power.

Sri Lanka continues to be one of the most militarised countries in the world, with the Tamil homeland in particular suffering from an occupation that infiltrates civilian and cultural places.

Involvement in Tamil schools and communities

The 10th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and the 7th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment hosted lunch programmes for pre-school children in Jaffna.

Maaveerar Naal 2024 commemorated as cyclone hits Tamil Eelam

Tamils across the North-East gathered at the site of destroyed cemeteries and held private commemorations at homes to mark Maaveerar Naal, paying tribute to Tamil freedom fighters even as a cyclone tore through the island.

The end of Tamil nationalism? Not according to the numbers

An analysis of Sri Lankan election data highlights a collapse of many government affiliated parties and reveals why Tamil nationalism might be growing - not shrinking.

Academics, Tamils and an extremist Sinhala nationalist - Meet Sri Lanka's new cabinet

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake swore in a 22-member Cabinet on Monday after his party secured a two-third parliamentary majority in last week’s election. We take a closer look at who these appointees are.

Candidates target the Tamil nationalist vote as Sri Lanka's general election looms

As Tamils across the island gear up to vote in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections this week, candidates from across the array of Tamil parties have all tried to showcase their nationalist credentials to secure the Tamil vote.

The election, set to take place on November 14, has seen a surge in Tamil nominations as hundreds of individuals, some from newly formed Tamil political parties, are standing to become MPs.

There are almost 400 candidates standing for Jaffna’s 6 seats, whilst in the Vanni, there are 423 candidates for their 6 seats. Hundreds of Tamils are also standing in the Eastern Provinces three districts of Batticaloa, Amparai and Trincomalee.