Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Alongside Tamil Americans in New Jersey and across the United States, I honor the memory of the tens of thousands of Tamils who were killed or forcibly disappeared during Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict. We continue to advocate for a just and lasting political solution based on Tamil… — Congressman Herb Conaway (@RepHerbConaway) May 15, 2025 US Congressman Herb Conaway has expressed his support…

Reflections from Mullivaikkal: Remembering What was Lost Part 1

I am from Vadduvaakal, Mullivaaikaal. I was a fisherman before the war. I used to do all my work, no matter how much work I have.

I lost both my legs during a Kfir attack during the last days of the war.

I wanted to die when I knew that I lost my legs. I asked the doctors at the hospital I was being taken care of, to please kill me with an injection; but they helped me recover.

Tamil Eelam reveals squad for CONIFA Women's World Cup

The Tamil Eelam Football Association (TEFA) has unveiled its highly anticipated squad for the upcoming CONIFA Women's World Cup set to kick off in Bodø, Norway, from May 27 to June 9, 2024. Comprising 22 talented players from various corners of the Tamil diaspora, TEFA is gearing up to showcase its prowess on the global stage.

The CONIFA Women's World Cup, organised by the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), promises to be a thrilling spectacle of footballing talent from non-FIFA affiliated teams.

Sri Lanka's press freedom plunge: Tamil journalists face surveillance, RSF warns

Sri Lanka's press freedom ranking has plummeted by 15 positions to 150, down from 135 in the previous year, according to the annual release of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The index compares press freedom across 180 countries and territories. 

We want media freedom' - Jaffna journalists mark World Press Freedom Day

Jaffna Press Club called on Sri Lanka's authorities to "stop the war on journalists" in a protest to mark World Press Freedom Day. 

Pillayan supporters threaten Tamil livestock farmers in Batticaloa

Tamil livestock farmers in Mayilathamadu and Madhavanai, Batticaloa, who are protesting state-sponsored Sinhalese settler violence, alleged that they were threatened by a group affiliated with paramilitary leader and Rajapaksa ally, Pillayan. 

Sri Lanka reconciliation mechanism ignores Tamil issues, seeks blessings from Buddhist clergy

Sri Lanka’s controversial truth and reconciliation mechanism, the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM), which has been roundly criticised by international experts and Tamil civil society, was presented before high-ranking Sri Lankan military officials, Sri Lanka’s police officials, and members of the Sinhala Buddhist clergy.

Sri Lanka's government bodies facilitate land-grabs in Mullaitivu says former NPC member

File photograph: Ravikaran joined protesters to block the illegal installation of a Buddha statue at Kurunthurmalai, Mullaitivu, in June 2022. 

Australia boasts no boats from Sri Lanka, as Tamils continue to flee

A senior Australian military official boasted that not a single boat of asylum seekers looking to leave from Sri Lanka to Australia had been intercepted in over a year, despite Tamils continuing to flee the island in the wake of ongoing rights abuses.

CWC accused of corruption when allocating homes from Indian housing project

The Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) has been accused of corruption and favouring trade union members when selecting beneficiaries for houses constructed through an Indian grant.

A report in the Daily Mirror quoted several sources as telling the newspaper that they faced interference and “tremendous pressure” when allocating beneficiaries for the homes.

Remembering Isaipriya

Today marks the 42nd birthday of Isaipriya, a famed Tamil newsreader that was executed by the Sri Lankan military in 2009.

Shoba, better known by her nom de plume Isaipriya, was just 27 years old when she was killed.

A regular figure as a newsreader and telecaster, she was a well known and much loved across the Tamil homeland and the large Tamil diaspora. She presented the news on TTN and featured in the LTTE’s Oliveechchu videos that were distributed around the world.