Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

In April 2025, Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves fell by 3%, slipping from the previous month $6.53 billion to $6.32 billion, according to data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The $210 million decline, despite the ongoing IMF-supported programme, highlights persistent vulnerabilities in the country’s post-crisis recovery trajectory. Foreign reserves are a critical ‘cushion’ for a…

No meaningful action on implementing resolution 30/1 says TNA leader to UN

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan told the UN resident coordinator during a meeting on Tuesday that the Sri Lankan government had failed to implement the co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution. 

There has been no meaningful action take on the majority of the resolution, Mr Sampanthan said. 

He also highlighted the military ongoing occupation of land in the Tamil homeland and their use of the land for farming, fishing and other civilian industries. 

Foreign Correspondents Association condemns intimidation of journalists in Sri Lanka

The Foreign Correspondents Association of Sri Lanka on Tuesday condemned the intimidation of New York Times local journalists by Sri Lankan lawmakers following an investigation by the paper into China's involvement in Hambantota port. 

"The Foreign Correspondents' Association of Sri Lanka (FCA) is deeply concerned about a campaign of intimidation directed against foreign journalists who contributed to a recent New York Times report on corruption in the island," the FCA said in a statement on social media. 

Leave cancelled for Jaffna police amidst mounting local anger

Sri Lanka police officers serving in the Jaffna district have had their leave cancelled following a spate of violent crimes across the peninsula which have left residents disturbed and angry with the police for its failure to protect communities.

Different areas of the district have recently been left reeling by murders, gang violence and shocking cases of sexual violence.

With local protests being targetted mainly on the police's failure to prevent violent crime, Jaffna police have had all leave cancelled until July 18th.

NYT editor condemns intimidation of journalists by Sri Lankan lawmakers

The editor of the New York Times, Michael Slackman condemned the intimidation of journalists by Sri Lankan lawmakers following a NYT report last month into Chinese control over of the Hambantota port

Sinhala politicians condemn 'pro-LTTE' statement by Tamil UNP minister

Sinhala MPs and politicians have condemned the Tamil UNP state minister, Vijayakala Maheswaran, who reportedly said last week the LTTE was needed in the North-East to prevent the rising violence and anti-social behaviour that is taking place in the region. 

The State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said he abhorred her statement and warned that legal action could be taken. 

Tamil Guardian website back online after cyber attack

After almost a month, the Tamil Guardian website has come back online this morning, following a malware attack on the site.

The website was taken down in early June, after an attack caused the site to crash.

“At this point, our technical team is still working to determine the origin of the attack,” said Tamil Guardian editor-in-chief Abinaya Nathan.  

Sri Lankan High Commission writes to CONIFA objecting to inclusion of Tamil Eelam in World Cup

The Sri Lankan High Commission in London has written to the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), objecting to the inclusion of Tamil Eelam in its World Football Cup tournament.

CONIFA is the football federation for all associations outside FIFA and describes itself as a global non-profit organization that supports representatives of international football teams from nations, de-facto nations, regions, minority peoples and sports isolated territories.

On this day – Tamil Red Cross volunteers abducted and killed in Colombo

On June 3rd 2007, two Tamil Red Cross volunteers who were abducted whilst they were in Colombo for a tsunami relief program were found shot dead.

The two Tamils, 38 year old Sinnarajah Shanmuganathan and 28 year old Karthigesu Chandramohan, were both from Batticaloa.

Sri Lanka to join world’s largest navy exercise in USA

The Sri Lankan navy will join the US-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) navy exercise for the first time later this month – the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.

“Twenty-six nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate,” said an official US navy website.

Sri Lankan president threatens to block social media

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena warned that he may unilaterally block social media access across the island if it were to be ‘misused’ citing “national security” and “ethnic harmony”.

The Daily Mirror quoted Mr Sirisena as stating that he had “summoned a team of experts who work in a global institution in the US that attend to issues pertaining to social media”. He added,

“I discussed with them the influence of the social media has on social and national security, ethnic harmony, integrity of a family and so on because social media has influenced them badly. I also told the US experts that if they could not control what was going on in Sri Lanka,