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…

Uncertainty surrounds Kokkuthoduvai mass grave excavation

The future of the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave excavation and exhumation appears uncertain, with the Mullaitivu Judicial Medical Officer, K. Vasudeva, indicating that it may be halted indefinitely.

The Judicial Medical Officer was questioned as to when the excavations were expected to resume and when the investigation results for the 17 skeletal remains already exhumed would be made public.

TNPF leader speaks at British Tamil Conservatives Conference

Ahead of the UK general election, the leader of the Tamil National People Front leader, Gajen Ponnambalam MP attended the British Tamil Conservatives annual reception at the British Conservative Party conference.

The conference was held on Monday at the Midland Hotel in Manchester and was attended by over 200 participants. 

Ponnambalam spoke on the genocide committed against Eelam Tamils.

Sri Lanka's Forest department allocates land across North-East to foreign companies

The Sri Lankan government plans to allocate land to foreign companies to allow agriculture projects with tax concessions. 

The government is planning to hand over thousands of acres of forest land to several local and foreign companies under a new cabinet decision.

Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation on January 23, 2023 to resolve problems relating to forests coming under the purview of the Forest Conservation Department and Wildlife Conservation Department.

Lawyers in Mullaitivu continue strike in support of resigned Judge

Lawyers from the Mullaitivu Bar Association are continuing their strike for the second consecutive day, demanding justice for Judge T. Saravanarajah, who resigned from all his positions due to death threats linked to his verdicts in the Kurunthurmalai archaeology case.

Sri Lanka’s President lashes out when questioned on Channel 4 report

 

Sri Lanka’s President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, lashed out during an interview with Deutsche Welle when asked for a response to serious concerns raised by the Channel 4 documentary on the Easter Sunday bombings and the need for an international investigation.

Protest in Kilinochchi demanding Judicial independence

In a demonstration of concern and solidarity, protestors in Kilinochchi gathered to demand independence for the judiciary and condemn political interference that led to the resignation of Mullaitivu Magistrate Court Judge T. Saravanaraja.

Tam Fam Lit Jam 2023

On 30th September 2023, members of the Tamil art scene in Toronto congregated at the Harbourfront Centre to celebrate and support Tamil literary talent. Event host Nedra Rodrigo opened the event with a sit down conversation featuring Priya Guns (author of 'Your Driver is Waiting') and Akil Kumarasamy (author of 'Meet Us by the Roaring Sea'). Rodrigo discussed topics ranging from the writers' writing processes to their motivations when writing. 

Tamil asylum-seeking women trek 600 km to Canberra calling for permanent protection visas

Twenty-two women from Tamil Eelam and Iran are embarking on a 600-kilometre journey from Melbourne to Canberra, raising their voices for the rights of asylum seekers and demanding permanent protection visas.

The women, who have spent over a decade living on bridging visas, are calling for a shift from the temporary limbo to permanent residency. The plight of these asylum seekers, including the challenges faced by families separated during the perilous journey to Australia, is vividly captured in their stories as told to ABC Shepparton.

Sri Lankan military restricts journalist access to Iranaithivu

 

Tamils are being buried in Tamil land - Families of Disappeared

Amidst ongoing struggles, Mariyasuresh Eswari highlights threats to Tamils' lives and the departure of Judge T. Saravanarajah.

In a statement following a protest in Mullaitivu, Mariyasuresh Eswari, the president of the Mullaitivu Association of Families of Disappeared, asserted that the departure of Judge T. Saravanarajah exemplifies the unsettling reality that Tamils are being buried in their own land.