Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sinhala rioters celebrate as they pause in the destruction of homes and businesses in Tamil sectors of Colombo Today marks 43 years since the horrors of the anti-Tamil pogrom of 1983, when thousands of Tamils were killed by Sinhala mobs backed by the then UNP government and state forces. Armed with electoral rolls, Sinhala mobs targeted Tamil homes and businesses, looting and ransacking…

Memorial tree unveiled in Washington to honour victims of the Tamil genocide

Tamil Americans in the Washington, D.C. area marked the 17th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide on 17 May with an interfaith memorial event and planted a memorial tree dedicated to Tamil lives lost during the armed conflict.

Outrage as senior Sinhala Buddhist monk accused of raping schoolgirl released on bail

North east protest

A senior Sinhala Buddhist monk accused of raping and sexually abusing a minor girl over a period of several years has been released on bail, despite mounting scrutiny over the handling of the investigation and allegations of delays by Sri Lankan police in taking action.

Australian Parliament hosts exhibition on Sri Lanka's genocide of Tamils

An exhibition documenting allegations of genocide, ongoing repression and human rights violations against Eelam Tamils was held inside Australia’s Parliament House during Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week, bringing renewed attention to the continuing plight of Tamils in the North-East homeland.

Tamil father of four dies in Sri Lankan police custody as relatives allege assault

Photograph: Virakesari

A 50-year-old Tamil father of four has died while in Sri Lankan police custody in Batticaloa district, with relatives alleging that he was assaulted by police officers prior to his death.

The deceased was identified as Suppaiya Vasanthakumar, a resident of the Karadiyanaru area in Batticaloa.

Did Mullivaikkal End History?

The full text of a speech delivered by Father Jeewantha Peiris on May 16, 2026, at the SEDEC Caritas Hall, at an event organised by the Movement for Equal Rights.

Catholic divide deepens as North-East clergy defend Tamil genocide recognition

A deepening divide has emerged within Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church after more than 100 priests and religious figures from the North-East issued a forceful statement defending Rev. Fr Jeevantha Peiris and accusing sections of the Church hierarchy of echoing the Sri Lankan state’s denial of the Tamil genocide.

Solidarity demands courage

What the last week has also demonstrated, however, is that there is a growing distance between the language of solidarity from those who claim to be allies in this pursuit, and the courage it actually requires. On the island and around the world, there is yet to be a reckoning.

TVK leader slams North Indian media over distortion of Vijay's Mullivaikkal message

 

The leader of the Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Party (TVK), T. Velmurugan, has strongly condemned mainstream North Indian media for a deliberate attempt to misrepresent expressions of solidarity with Eelam Tamils as support for terrorism.

British Tamils gather in Oxford to remember Mullivaikkal genocide

British Tamils gathered in Oxford this week to commemorate Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day at the World Tamil Historical Centre, honouring the tens of thousands of Tamils killed during the final stages of the armed conflict in Mullivaikkal in 2009.

Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day observed in New Zealand

The 17th annual Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day was commemorated in Auckland, New Zealand, on 18 May 2026, with hundreds of participants gathering to remember the victims of the Mullivaikkal genocide and renew calls for justice.