Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Skeletal remains found without skulls, and a body wearing a raincoat, are among the latest discoveries at the Chemmani mass grave in Jaffna, where the number of sets of human remains identified has risen to 478 as the third phase of court-supervised excavations continues. The findings come as Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department told the Jaffna Magistrate's Court on Thursday that it…

‘Camps in every corner’ - Vavuniya Mayor slams Sri Lankan military occupation

The Mayor of Vavuniya Municipal Council, S. Kandipan, has strongly condemned the suffocating militarisation of the Tamil homeland, declaring that while “camps can be seen in almost every corner of the North,” the South of the island remains entirely free of such entrenched occupation.

Tamil journalist grilled for nearly 7 hours by Sri Lanka’s Counter Terrorism police

Tamil journalist, Kanapathipillai Kumanan, was subjected to an almost seven-hour interrogation by Sri Lanka’s Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) on Sunday, in what press freedom advocates have denounced as part of a continuing campaign of harassment against Tamil media workers.

‘We will not stop’: Mannar satyagraha enters 16th day against destructive wind and mining projects

The people of Mannar have entered their sixteenth consecutive day of satyagraha against the erection of wind power towers and mineral sand mining projects, vowing that their agitation will not end until the projects are brought to a complete halt.

The army must leave: North-East hartal demands end to military occupation

Hartal in north east sees limited support while Mullaitivu district fails to fully observe shutdown

A decade of déjà vu

Last week, a much awaited new UN report was released. For many, the document made for familiar reading. The report was damning in its findings. But its conclusion, was starkly weak, once again placing the onus on Sri Lanka to do what it never will – hold war criminals to account.

Coolie - Insufficient power

With a string of huge box office successes to his name, director Lokesh Kanagaraj currently sits at the forefront of commercial Tamil cinema. Unfortunately, ‘Coolie’ runs into many of the same issues that plagued Kanagaraj’s last feature ‘Leo.’

Psychiatrist exodus pushes North-East mental health crisis to breaking point

The military occupied Tamil homeland, which already grapples with the highest suicide rates on the island, is facing a worsening mental health crisis as the mass migration of psychiatrists leaves vital services on the brink of collapse.

Former Navy chief admits ‘Gun Site’ torture camp detained up to 60, including foreign nationals

Former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne has admitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that “Gun Site”, an underground torture facility located within the Trincomalee naval base, was an unlawful detention centre.

‘Partnership in action’ - US warship to dock in Colombo

The US Navy’s littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) will arrive at the Port of Colombo on 16 August, in what Washington hails as a demonstration of the “strength” of US - Sri Lanka relations and their “shared commitment” to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Civil society organisations urge Sri Lanka's CTID to withdraw summons against Tamil journalist

A coalition of civil society organisations have urged Sri Lanka's Counter Terrorism Investigation Department (CTID) to end their harassment and withdraw a summons against Tamil journalist and photographer Kanapathipillai Kumanan.