Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sinnathurai commemorating Maaveerar Naal in London, 2022. Selvachandran Sinnathurai, the father of Lieutenant Shankar, the first fighter from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to be killed in the Tamil armed struggle, passed away in London earlier this month. Lieutenant Shankar holds a significant place in Tamil history as the first cadre to sacrifice his life in the early…

Tamil newspapers in danger of being paralysed as fuel shortages worsen

Newspapers in Jaffna are facing the prospect of having to halt their presses, as the ongoing fuel shortage on the island has impacted on their distribution networks.

At least three newspapers are regularly printed in Jaffna and facing major issues, as the lack of fuel has meant distributing the news is grinding to a halt.

1,950 days of protest – Tamil families of disappeared continue their struggle for justice

Tamil families of the disappeared marked their 1,950th day of continuous protest with another demonstration in Vavuniya on Thursday.

‘They threatened to shoot me in the head for destroying Buddhist culture’

A former cadre who participated in a protest against an illegal attempt to install a Buddha statue on a native Tamil temple site, was visited by unknown gunmen who threated to shoot him dead if he continued to take part in such demonstrations.

Velupillai Madhavameyar, a social activist and former cadre, said the incident had taken place on June 15, just days after dozens of Tamils demonstrated against the Sri Lankan military-aided attempt in the Kurunthurmalai area of Mullaitivu.

US bondholder sues Sri Lanka for defaulting on debt

Hamilton Reserve Bank has sued Sri Lanka for defaulting on its debt as the cash-strapped island faces it's worst economic crises in decades. 

The bondholder, filed a lawsuit earlier this week in a US federal court, seeking the full payment of the $250 million 

Last month, Sri Lanka officially defaulted on its international debt obligations after failing to make a payment of approximately US$78m during its 30-day grace period. 

‘Those guilty must be held to account’ – US condemns shooting in Mullaitivu

Responding to reports of the Sri Lankan army opening fire on those queuing for petrol, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has condemned the military’s violence and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.

On Twitter the Committee tweeted:

LIVE – Tamil Genocide Monument design release in Canada

Follow proceedings from Brampton Ontario, where the design of a monument to commemorate the Tamil genocide is being released.

Sri Lankan PM admits ‘economy has completely collapsed’

Sri Lanka’s prime minister told parliament that the country’s economy has “completely collapsed” and admitted that “no country or organisation in the world is willing to provide fuel to us,” as the financial crisis on the island worsens.

‘We want justice, not fuel’ – The Guardian on Tamil protests in Sri Lanka

Tamils in the North-East have reiterated their demand for justice, as families of the disappeared and local politicians spoke to The Guardian this week.

In a piece by Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Rubatheesan Sandran in Mullaitivu published earlier today, former councillor Ravikaran Thurairajah said “if we staged a protest here like they are doing in Galle Face, they would shoot us dead”.

Concerned by future resolutions, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister may delist select diaspora organisations

Reporting in the Sunday Times LK has indicated that four Tamil diaspora organisations and 318 individuals are to be delisted by the Sri Lankan government in a move to ward off a strong resolution in September when the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council will be held.

SJB Proposed 21st Amendment struck down by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has judged that the majority of clauses in the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB), Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, proposed 21st Amendment are unconstitutional and will require a two-thirds majority in parliament to be passed as well as approval via a public referendum.

The bill sought to abolish the executive Presidency that is in existence at present and transfer power to Parliament.