Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The North-Eastern - Eelam Tamil magazine launched in Jaffna and Batticaloa
A new English-language print magazine has been launched in the Tamil homeland, with events in Jaffna and Batticaloa timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Vaddukoddai Resolution. The North-Eastern, a quarterly covering politics, arts and culture relevant to Eelam Tamils, was published last month. Both launch events drew lively exchanges between attendees and panellists, among them…

Temple in Palaly reopens for daily worship after 34 years - but security fences still remain

Nov 23, 2024
For the first time in 34 years, Tamils in Jaffna have been allowed to worship at the Sri Rajarajeswari Amman Temple in Palaly, but much of the surrounding area remains occupied by the Sri Lankan military and off limit to locals.

Sri Lanka police officers harass and extort Tamil woman over intimate photos

Nov 23, 2024

In yet another incident of alleged Sri Lankan police misconduct, two officers from the occupying Palaly Police Station have been accused of threatening a Tamil woman by visiting her home and coercing her over intimate photographs with her boyfriend. The officers reportedly demanded a ransom of 1.2 million rupees (12 lakhs), threatening to release the private images if their demands were not met.

Sri Lankan Navy captain arrested in connection with 13-year-old enforced disappearance case

Nov 23, 2024

A Sri Lankan Navy Captain was arrested on November 18 by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the abduction, unlawful detention, and enforced disappearance of a Sinhalese individual, Ganeralalage Shantha Samaraweera, 13 years ago. 

Dissanayake pledges to tackle ‘controversial crimes' and shuns extremism in first address to parliament

Nov 23, 2024
In his first address to Sri Lanka’s newly elected Parliament, current president Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized a commitment to justice for "controversial crimes" and spoke out against religious extremism.

Dissanayake makes U-turn on rice import pledge

Nov 23, 2024
Sri Lanka’s newly installed government, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has reversed its pre-election stance on rice imports, confirming plans to bring in 70,000 metric tonnes of rice to address market shortages. The announcement, made by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, comes after weeks of assurances that the country would not need to import rice.

No flags, no flowers - Sri Lankan police summon volunteers ahead of Maaveerar Naal

Nov 22, 2024

Tamil volunteers in Batticaloa preparing for Maaveerar Naal, an annual commemoration for fallen Tamil fighters, have been summoned by police over their preparation activities, in a reported attempt to disrupt preparations.

Maaveerar remembrance week commences in the Tamil homeland

Nov 22, 2024
The Tamil homeland marked the commencement of Maaveerar Remembrance Week today, paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle in the run up to November 27.

MP presents petition calling on Canada to take Sri Lanka to ICJ

Nov 22, 2024
Shaun Chen, Member of Parliament for Scarborough North, Ontario, addressed Canada's House of Commons to present a petition calling for Ottawa to take Sri Lanka to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)  and support an independence referendum.

Leader of the Official Opposition of Ontario marks Tamil Eelam National Flag Day

Nov 21, 2024

Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition of Ontario said she was "proud to stand in solidarity with the Tamil community,"  as Tamil Eelam National Flag Day was marked today.

Sri Lanka’s new ministers start the traditional way – paying homage to Buddha

Nov 21, 2024
Temple in Palaly reopens for daily worship after 34 years - but security fences still remain
Sri Lanka police officers harass and extort Tamil woman over intimate photos
Sri Lankan Navy captain arrested in connection with 13-year-old enforced disappearance case
Dissanayake pledges to tackle ‘controversial crimes' and shuns extremism in first address to parliament
Dissanayake makes U-turn on rice import pledge
No flags, no flowers - Sri Lankan police summon volunteers ahead of Maaveerar Naal
Maaveerar remembrance week commences in the Tamil homeland
MP presents petition calling on Canada to take Sri Lanka to ICJ
Leader of the Official Opposition of Ontario marks Tamil Eelam National Flag Day
Sri Lanka’s new ministers start the traditional way – paying homage to Buddha
Temple in Palaly reopens for daily worship after 34 years - but security fences still remain
Sri Lanka police officers harass and extort Tamil woman over intimate photos
Sri Lankan Navy captain arrested in connection with 13-year-old enforced disappearance case
Dissanayake pledges to tackle ‘controversial crimes' and shuns extremism in first address to parliament
Dissanayake makes U-turn on rice import pledge
No flags, no flowers - Sri Lankan police summon volunteers ahead of Maaveerar Naal
Maaveerar remembrance week commences in the Tamil homeland
MP presents petition calling on Canada to take Sri Lanka to ICJ
Leader of the Official Opposition of Ontario marks Tamil Eelam National Flag Day
Sri Lanka’s new ministers start the traditional way – paying homage to Buddha