Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Environmentalists and civil society activists protested at Galle Face in Colombo on 17 June against proposed heavy mineral sand mining along the eastern coastline from Oluvil to Pothuvil, warning that the project threatens the land, fisheries and livelihoods of Tamil and Muslim communities across the Eastern Province. According to the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL), exploration…

Fisherfolk in Rameshwaram demand government regulation of seafood prices for export

Fisherfolk in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, have expressed disappointment after being unable to fetch an adequate price for their catch despite an abundant catch consisting of fish, crab, cuttlefish, and prawns.

Tamil man files complaint at Human Rights Commission following torture by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department officials and STF

A Tamil man in Mullaitivu has filed a complaint with the Vavuniya Human Rights Commission, after he was illegally detained, assaulted and tortured by officials from Sri Lanka's Wildlife Department last week. 

The complaint, filed by Mr. Navaruban, alleges that seven Wildlife Department officials and four Special Task Force (STF) officers forcibly entered his home on June 14th, without a warrant, on the suspicion that he had game meat in his possession.

British Parliamentarians urge for formal recognition of Tamil Genocide

Yesterday, British MPs met with Tamil activists, lawyers, and religious leaders in the parliament to demand that the UK government recognise the genocide perpetrated against Eelam Tamils.

The conference aimed at addressing the ongoing structural genocide against the Tamil community and reflecting on the urgent need for accountability for past atrocities.

Another vihara in Trinco highlights land-grab concerns

In the town of Pulmoaddai, located in the Trincomalee District, more than 25 soldiers and monks are tirelessly working day and night to construct a new Buddhist vihara. Their objective is to complete the project swiftly, despite accusations of illegal deforestation that preceded it.

Four Tamil National People's Front activists arrested

Four Tamil National People's Front activists have been arrested by the Kilinochchi Police and subject to interrogation in the early hours of today.

Tamil MPs 'need to know their place, if not they will be locked up' - Sarath Weerasekara

Following the threatening of TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnnambalam and his subsequent arrest and release on bail, Chairman of the Oversight Committee on National Security, former Rear Admiral, Sarath Weerasekara MP warned that Tamil MPs must know their place or face arrest.

“Tamil MPs should not get emotional and jump up and down at the drop of the hat. They need to know their place, if not they will be locked up in prison,” Weerasekara stated.

He added:

Por Thozhil - A decent effort

‘Por Thozhil’ stands on a decent albeit formulaic plot, a good central performance from Sarathkumar and a progressively tense second half.

Vavuniya families of the dissappeared mark 2300 days of protest

The families of the disappeared in Vavuniya continued their ongoing protest on June 8th, marking 2,300 days of continuous protest. The families have been protesting on rotation for 2,300 days, demanding the return of their loved ones and an international mechanism to ensure justice.

Jaffna LGBTIQ+ community holds second annual Pride march

The LGBTIQ+ community in Jaffna held their second annual Pride March on June 10th. The march began at the Jaffna bus stand and ended in front of the Jaffna library.

Sri Lanka’s Public Security Minister bemoans weak response to accusations of genocide

Chairman of the Oversight Committee on National Security Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara MP has bemoaned the Sri Lankan government’s weak response to accusations of genocide by the Canadian government, which he claims is a politically motivated lie.

In his statement last Wednesday, Weerasekera decried the decision by the Canadian government to issue a statement recognising the Sri Lankan government’s military offensive as an act of genocide and sanctioning two former Sri Lankan presidents, Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.