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…

Sri Lankan police learn Hindi - but still no Tamil

Sri Lankan police have successfully completed a Hindi language course hosted by the Indian government this week, despite officers across the North-East still being unable to speak the native language Tamil.

In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka celebrated the 3rd batch of the Sri Lanka Police Force's Hindi Proficiency Course. The post states that the event was intended to celebrate the Indian Hindi Day on September 14.

Dissanayake promises to dissolve parliament immediately if elected to office

National People's Power (NPP) leader and presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reiterated his commitment to dissolve the Sri Lankan Parliament immediately if he were to win the upcoming presidential election.

In a series of campaign speeches, Dissanayake highlighted the urgent need for fresh parliamentary elections to reshape the country’s political landscape, expressing confidence that the NPP would gain a significant majority.

Manthuvil massacre memorial held in Puthukudiyiruppu

Tamils in Puthukudiyiruppu gathered to remember the innocent victims of 1999 Sri Lankan Air Force strike on Manthuvil, marking 25 years since the massacre this week.

Family members, friends gathered at the Puthukudiyiruppu-Manthuvil junction to pay tribute to their loved ones.

ITAK in disarray as senior leaders continue to divide party

Chaos and confusion over who the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) will be backing at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential polls has continued this week, as senior leaders continued to contradict themselves.

Leader-elect of the ITAK Sivagnanam Shritharan told reporters that he did not support the decision of the central committee to back Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming polls.

The climate emergency and its threat to the Tamil homeland

A new crisis is unfolding in the Tamil homeland, writes Amita Arudpragasam for Himal Southasian this month, as the climate emergency threatens to add to the decades of war and systemic discrimination the North-East has faced. 

A new crisis is unfolding in the Tamil homeland, writes Amita Arudpragasam for Himal Southasian this month, as the climate emergency threatens to add to the decades of war and systemic discrimination the North-East has faced. 

Draft UN resolution to extend mandate of war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for 12 months

A draft United Nations Human Rights Council resolution looks set to extend the mandate of a war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for a further year, as the Sri Lankan government continues to reject any prospect of international accountability for mass atrocities this week.

 

Tamils in Jaffna mark 37 years since Thileepan commenced fast unto death

Tamils commemorated the political wing leader of the LTTE, Lt Col Thileepan in Jaffna to mark 37 years since he began his fast unto death on September 15, 1987.

Tamils commemorated the political wing leader of the LTTE, Lt Col Thileepan in Jaffna to mark 37 years since he began his fast unto death on September 15, 1987.

IMF discussions to proceed post Sri Lanka’s presidential elections

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Communications Department Director, Julie Kozack,  has confirmed that the next programme discussion for the IMF’s loan to Sri Lanka is set for mid-October, after the island’s presidential elections next Saturday.

IMF discussions to proceed post Sri Lanka’s presidential elections

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Communications Department Director, Julie Kozack,  has confirmed that the next programme discussion for the IMF’s loan to Sri Lanka is set for mid-October, after the island’s presidential elections next Saturday.

Sri Lankan police release TNPF MP but claim boycott campaign is ‘illegal’

Sri Lankan police released Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) MP Selvarajah Kajendren after he was arrested by Sri Lankan police yesterday for campaigning for a boycott of the Sri Lankan presidential elections.