Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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A Guinness World Record set by nearly 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers at Galle Face in Colombo has sparked controversy, after activists questioned why the official recognition was awarded to organisers and an overseas instructor rather than the thousands of performers who paid to take part. The SANGAMAM-2026 event, held on 14 June, saw 4,988 dancers successfully set a new Guinness World Record for…

Tamil Nadu tensions escalate as DMK withdraws from government

Tamil Nadu’s Dravidar Munnetra Kazhakam (DMK) has withdrawn from the ruling coalition in Delhi, amidst increasing protests on the streets of the southern Indian state.

As DMK Fumes, Tamil Nadu Boils - The Wall Street Journal (19 Mar 2013)

India’s contribution to the weakening of the US-sponsored resolution at the UN Human Rights Council has caused party leader M Karunanidhi condemned India’s actions and announced the DMK’s immediate withdrawal from the UPA government.

Has India watered down the resolution once again? – First Post (19 Mar 2013)

“The issues raised by the DMK haven't been addressed by the Congress, thus this is a government that doesn't benefit the Tamils in any way," Karunanidhi, told reporters in Chennai on Tuesday.

"And even after this, if we continue to extend our support to the government, it is a shame to Tamil Nadu... Thus the DMK has decided, and we are announcing our immediate withdrawal from the central government and the UPA,

"India, despite being the biggest democratic country, hasn't addressed the issues raised by the DMK, and they have chosen to ignore the problems of the Tamils. These are completely anti-democratic acts by them. I totally condemn it," he added.

Sri Lankan airlines cuts half of flights to Chennai

Sri Lanka’s national air carrier SriLankan Airlines has announced it has cut the amount of flights between Chennai and Colombo by half, due to a drop in passengers after anti-Sri Lanka protests in Tamil Nadu.

Amnesty International blames India for weakening UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka war crimes

Amnesty International on Tuesday blamed India for weakening the US-backed draft resolution at the UN Human Rights Council seeking accountability for mass killings of Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka in 2009.

Indian cricket board anticipating protests against Lankan players

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering asking Indian Premier League (IPL) teams to keep Sri Lankan players out matches in Chennai.

While the BCCI maintained that there were no immediate threats to players, it is anticipating protests against Sri Lankan players.

Sonia Gandhi demands 'independent and credible inquiry' in Sri Lanka

President of the Congress party Sonia Gandhi has slammed Sri Lanka’s “unspeakable atrocities” against Tamils and called for an demand an independent and credible inquiry into human rights violations on the island.

Speaking to Congress MPs hours before the DMK announced they were withdrawing from government, Gandhi reportedly said,

BBS halal fight ‘concluded’, now call for removal of mosque

The Sinhala Buddhist organisation, Bodu Bala Sena, has announced that their fight against halal products is now over as they had “won”.

National organiser Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said to a huge rally in Kandy that concerned firms would remove halal certificated products by Sinhala New Year in mid-April.

The monk pledged that their new target would be the removal of a mosque in Kuragala, which was allegedly built on an ancient Buddhist site.

Student protests against Sri Lanka sweep through Tamil Nadu

What began as an indefinite hunger strike by students at Loyola College on 8th March, has sparked protests that are taking Tamil Nadu by storm.

Tamil Nadu film industry to protest against genocide

The Tamil Nadu Film Director's Association (TNFDA) announced on Sunday that it would be holding a hunder strike on Tuesday to protest against the genocide of Eelam Tamils.

In a statement that TNFDA Secretary and filmaker, Ammer Sultan, said:

Jaya calls on India to support investigation into genocide at UNHRC

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has called upon the Indian government to not only support the upcoming resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, but to strengthen it and call for an international independent investigation into war crimes.

In a letter addressed to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Jayalalithaa stated,

SL envoy calls Tamil Nadu protests a 'form of terrorism'

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner for India, Prasada Kariyawasam, said that the protests by Tamil Nadu students were a 'form of terrorism'.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Kariyawasam said:

"Resolution on Sri Lanka in UN is uncalled for. We don't think there is a need for international community to get involved in Sri Lanka at this point."