Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Amnesty International has called for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethan Ganeshkumar and renewed demands for the repeal of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the legislation continues to facilitate arbitrary detention and human rights abuses. In a statement issued this week, the international rights organisation expressed concern over the continued use of…

Sri Lanka prisons exceed capacity by 232%

A recent government audit based on data collected between 2015-2022 notes that the prison capacity has been exceeded by 232%.

The report is based on data collected between 2015 and 2022. It is noted that the number of inmates in the overall prison system in Sri Lanka increased from 139% to 232% of the capacity of the prisons. 

Sri Lanka's Justice Minister claims only '14 political prisoners' in jail

Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Vijayadasa Rajapaksa sparked outrage and demands for transparency with a recent assertion that only 14 Tamil political prisoners are currently incarcerated in Sri Lankan jails. 

Our relatives have been buried in this land' - Locals halt alleged land grab at Mullaitivu Thuyilum Illam

Local Tamils in Muillaitivu have blocked attempts by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka to allegedly grab land in which the Mullaitivu Thuyilum Illam is situated, a site holding cultural and emotional significance as the resting place for fallen LTTE cadres.

Sivagnanam Shritharan pays tribute to Maaveerar after being elected as ITAK leader

Image

In a closely contested poll held at the Trincomalee Municipal Council Auditorium on Sunday, Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan clinched victory, securing the position of the new leader of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), a Tamil political party that has headed the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) coalition. Immediately following the announcement, Shritharan paid his respects at Kanagapuram Maveerar Thuyilum Illam, to pay homage to Tamils who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Tamil Eelam.

"I wanted the past to be very present" - Interview with Akil Kumarasamy

“Why is it so unbearable to look in the face of human vulnerability?” asks author Akil Kumarasamy, in her latest literary offering “Meet us by the Roaring Sea” - a question apt for a society grappling with a loneliness epidemic. 

Pongal in Westminster - British Tamils celebrate Thai Pongal

British Tamils gathered in London on Monday for an evening filled with an array of performances to celebrate Thai Pongal and mark Tamil Heritage Month. 

Guests filled the iconic Church House in Westminster, which hosted the first UN Security Council in 1946, to watch dance and musical performances depicting the richness of Tamil culture and to hear from British parliamentarians who praised the Tamil community for their contributions to the UK. 

University of Nottingham wins its first Kings of Gaana dance competition

The eleventh annual ‘Kings of Gaana’ took place at Troxy on 10th December, helmed by King’s College London's Tamil Society.

Extremist Sri Lankan Buddhist monk advocates for dictatorship

Speaking with Sri Lanks’ Public Security Minister, Tiran Alles, extremist Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Asgiri Anunayake Vendaruve Upali, advocated for the establishment of a dictatorship to rebuild the country.

This is not the first time that Upali’s comments have caused outrage. On the 69th birthday of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Upali urged the war crimes accused former defence secretary to come to power, even if it means establishing military rule.

Jaffna University pays tribute to Malayaga Tamils

At a remembrance event held at Jaffna University last week, students gathered to pay tribute to members of the Malayaga Tamil community who had fought for the rights of their people.

Students laid flowers and lit candles before a portrait that showed the scarred hands of a tea plantation worker.

UK Heath Secretary full of praise for British Tamils at Number 10’s Pongal Reception

British Tamils gathered at the Prime Minister’s residence at Downing Street today to celebrate Thai Pongal, a festival marked to give thanks to the sun for the harvest.