Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition from an Eelam Tamil refugee and former LTTE member who sought permission to remain in the country with his family, in a ruling that underscores the precarious legal status of Eelam Tamil refugees in the country. The decision comes just days after the court denied a similar appeal from Rohingya Muslims, reinforcing a hardline stance on the…

Remember Mullivaikkal' website launched to commemorate massacres

As part of a collaborative project marking the 10th year since the end of the war in Sri Lanka, today the Adayaalam Centre for Policy Research, Tamil Guardian and 47 Roots, launched: www.RememberMay2009.com. 

The website aims to provide a resource that maps out the atrocities that took place during the final months of the armed conflict and reflects on their impact 10 years later.

TNPF releases Mullivaikkal poetry anthology and music album

The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) released a poetry anthology and musical record to mark ten years since the Mullivaikkal massacres.

Next Chapter

Ten years since the end of the armed conflict, Sri Lanka remains divided. Far from the promise of stability and unity, the fractures that have plagued the country since independence, continue to define the relationships within the island. Sri Lanka has failed to become what the international community expected it would, when the war ended ten years ago - a stable, peaceful, pluralist state founded on liberal, democratic principles. To the Tamils this is unsurprising. The failure to ‘fix’ Sri Lanka begins with the failure to acknowledge the toxic Sinhala Buddhist ethnocracy in its core.

Canadian politicians mark tenth anniversary of Mullivaikkal genocide

Canadian politicians have been joining the Tamil community to mark the tenth year of Mullivaikkal and Tamil genocide remembrance in the lead up to May 18.

Speaking in Parliament, Gary Anandasangaree MP said:

Military register names at entrance to Mullivaikkal ahead of May 18 commemorations

The Sri Lankan military today set up check points at both main entrances to Mullivaikkal beach, registering those passing through, just hours before Tamils plan to gather Mullivaikkal genocide remembrance events, set to take place tomorrow.

Remains of LTTE cadre found by army camp in Mullivaikkal

The skeletal remains of an LTTE cadre were found today in Mullivaikkal, adjacent to a Sri Lankan military camp of the 681 Brigade. 

Violence can only be stopped by ending impunity says Swiss ambassador

Marking the tenth anniversary of the end of the armed conflict, Switzerland's ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hanspeter Mock said "cycles of violence can only be stopped if the government ensures that perpetrators can no longer enjoy impunity."

In a statement issued today, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks against civilians and members of the Christian community in the capital Colombo and other cities, coupled with the ensuing clashes and assaults against ethnic minorities and refugees, showed that the root causes of the conflict have not yet been addressed." 

"Switzerland condemns the intolerance and violence that have led to tremendous suffering in Sri Lanka over the last few decades, and offers it sincere condolences to the victims' families."

Over 60 Tamil Diaspora groups reaffirm commitment to seeking justice for genocide and self-determination

To mark the tenth anniversary of massacre that took place at the end of the armed conflict in Mullivaikkal on May 18, 2009, over sixty Tamil Diaspora organisations signed a declaration of solidarity to work towards justice for genocide, demilitarisation and Tamil self-determination.

“On 18 May 2019, ten years since the Sri Lankan state’s genocide against the Tamil nation reached its peak, we stand in solidarity with our brethren in their quest for justice," the organisations said in a joint statement.  

Private Mullivaikkal commemorations held this week ahead of May 18

Local government bodies and places of worship across the North-East held remembrance events for May 2009 this week ahead of the main event tomorrow at Mullivaikkal where thousands of people are expected to attend at the site of the final phase of the armed conflict and where tens of thousands were massacred by the Sri Lankan armed forces. 

Kumuthini boat massacre by Sri Lankan navy remembered 34 years on

Tamils gathered in Neduntheevu on Wednesday to remember the thirty-six Tamils massacred by Sri Lankan navy officers on board the Kumuthini boat on May 15, 1985.