Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Photo : Newswire Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested on Wednesday by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), over his recruitment to the Sri Lanka Navy and the funding of his training at Britain's Royal Naval Academy. He appeared before the commission on 17 June in response to a summons,…

Maaveerar Naal commemorated by thousands in France

French Tamils gathered in Villebon-sur-Yvette to mark Maaveerar Naal last week, as millions around the world paid tribute to Tamil freedom fighters. 

The event began with Joseph, Chairman of the Committee and Rasan, a committee officer, hoisting the Tamil Eelam National Flag. This was followed by a speech recalling past Maaveerar Naal commemorations. Several individuals placed garlands of flowers at an obelisk of Lt. Shankar.

British Tamil Powerlifter Anujan Srikantha strikes gold at Commonwealth Championship

Anujan Srikantha, a British Tamil athlete representing England, has made history by clinching gold at the 2024 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship held in Sun City, South Africa earlier this year. Competing in the Men’s Classic Benchpress Championships, Srikantha not only emerged victorious in the 83kg division but also earned the prestigious title of Best Male Lifter, a recognition for benching the highest weight relative to body weight across all classes. Srikantha’s stellar performance saw him bench an impressive 192.5kg while weighing just 82kg.

Thousands commemorate Maaveerar Naal in Germany

Tamils in Germany commemorated Maaveerar Naal with thousands gathering in Dortmund on November 27th to pay tribute to fallen fighters.

The Maaveerar Naal event began with the lighting of the torch by Suresh Sankarapillai. The Tamil Eelam National Flag was hoisted by the Deputy Director of the Tamil Education Association of Germany, Yogendran Cheran.

US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu lands in Sri Lanka

US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has landed in Sri Lanka earlier today, with discussions slated around how Washington can “deepen ties with the current government”. 

Palermo City Council Governor formally recognises Tamil genocide on Maaveerar Naal

Marking Maaveerar Naal in Italy, the Palermo City Council governor and the Tamil Coordination Committee signed an declaration formally recognizing the genocide of Eelam Tamils as they paid tribute to those who laid down their lives for liberation. 

The event which was held to mark the annual Maaveerar Naal commemorations was organized by the Tamil Coordinating Committee to honor the sacrifices of the Tamils who laid down their lives for the freedom of the homeland.

Tamils in Denmark pay tribute on Maaveerar Naal

Maaveerar Naal - Great Heroes' Day - was commemorated in Denmark last week, as Tamils around the globe paid tribute to martyred fighters in the independence struggle.

This year's Maaveerar Naal began with the hoisting of the Tamil Eelam national flag followed by the broadcast of the leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's last speech in 2008. 

Tamils in Belgium commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Eelam Tamils in Belgium marked Maaveerar Naal last week, as thousands gathered in Antwerp to pay respect to those who sacrificed their lives for Tamil independence. 

As a mark of respect, Tamils in Antwerp as they do, annually, held a sombre event to mark Maaveerar Naal on November 27th. At the event, the Tamil Eelam national flag was hoisted and bells were rung.

Tamils in New Zealand mark Maaveerar Naal

Maaveerar Naal was commemorated in New Zealand last week, as Tamils across the country joined those around the world in paying tribute to Tamil freedom fighters.

More than 40 years but still no citizenship - Madras High Court directs Centre to act

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Central Government of India to consider the application submitted by an Eelam Tamil refugee who has been in the country since 1983.

Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan directed the Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs to consider in eight weeks the application submitted by the petitioner R. Maheswary of Madurai for issuance of certificate of naturalisation, as per Rule 15 of the Citizenship Rules, 2009. 

Eelam Tamil refugees from Diego Garcia resettled in the UK

After more than three years stranded in dire conditions on Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean, dozens of Eelam Tamil refugees fleeing persecution in Sri Lanka have arrived in the UK.