Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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UNP rallies to defend Buddhist institutions amid clergy misconduct controversy
Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of attempting to undermine Buddhism and interfere in the affairs of the Buddhist clergy, as controversy continues over proposed reforms aimed at addressing misconduct within the Buddhist Sangha. The dispute comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Buddhist institutions following allegations of…

‘You are killing cinema’ – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion

Jan 8, 2026
Tamil film Salliyargal has been released directly on an over-the-top streaming platform, bypassing a theatrical release, in protest against what its makers describe as systematic denial of screens for films centred on the Tamil Eelam struggle.

Murdered journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge commemorated in Batticaloa

Jan 8, 2026
Journalists in Batticaloa commemorated murdered Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge earlier today, marking 17 years since he was gunned down in Colombo, amid renewed outrage over the state’s refusal to deliver justice.

British-Tamil football player speaks on her success at the Deaflympics

Jan 8, 2026
Tharanika Ahillan

Lucindha Lawson, a British-Tamil deaf football player from London, who won Bronze at the 2025 Deaflympics spoke to the Tamil Guardian about her medal winning journey.

The 34-year-old brought home the medal from Tokyo last month as part of the Great Britain (GB) Deaf Women’s Football team. 

From drones to court cases: Sri Lanka’s surveillance grow against Tamil protesters in Thaiyiddy

Jan 8, 2026
Sri Lankan police recorded the personal and vehicle details of Tamils attending the monthly protest against the military-backed Thaiyiddy vihara on Wednesday, raising fresh fears of surveillance and future crackdowns against those opposing the occupation of Tamil-owned land.

Tamil temple still denied land and access as governor urged to intervene

Jan 8, 2026
Vanni District Member of Parliament P. Sathiyalingam has called on the Governor of the Northern Province N. Vedhanayagan to take immediate steps to release the land and access road belonging to the historic Veddukkunaari Malai Adi Lingeswarar Temple, amid continuing restrictions on Tamil religious practice in the region.

British Tamils protest at Downing Street to condemn Sri Lanka’s arrests

Jan 8, 2026
A protest was held in Britain last week condemning the arrest of five Tamils, including religious leader Velan Swamigal, during protests against the illegal construction of a Buddhist vihara at Thaiyiddy in the Tamil homeland.

TNPF commemorate Kumar Ponnambalam 26 years on

Jan 6, 2026

The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) remembered assassinated human rights lawyer and former leader of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), Kumar Ponnambalam yesterday. 

Ponnambalam was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on January 5th, 2000, whilst in his car on Ramakrishna Lane, in Wellawette, Colombo. The murder came a few days after he had written an open letter to then president Chandrika Bandaranaike-Kumaratunga, condemning her anti-Tamil policies.

St George’s University wins its first Kings of Gaana

Jan 5, 2026

The thirteenth annual ‘Kings of Gaana’ took place at Troxy on 14th December, organised by King’s College London’s. British Tamil comedian Kutti Hari and broadcaster Nisha Nisanthan hosted the world’s largest inter-university Gaana competition.

Sri Lankan police heavily deployed as Tamils protest illegally constructed Buddhist temple in Thaiyiddy

Jan 3, 2026
Landowners and students protest installation of Buddha statue at illegally constructed Buddhist temple in Thaiyiddy.

Still searching for justice - 20 years on from Trinco 5 killings

Jan 2, 2026

Trinco 5

On this day 20 years ago, five Tamil students were summarily executed by Sri Lanka's Special Task Force, whilst they spent an afternoon on the beach in Trincomalee.

To date, no one has been held accountable for the murder.

‘You are killing cinema’ – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion
Murdered journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge commemorated in Batticaloa
British-Tamil football player speaks on her success at the Deaflympics
From drones to court cases: Sri Lanka’s surveillance grow against Tamil protesters in Thaiyiddy
Tamil temple still denied land and access as governor urged to intervene
British Tamils protest at Downing Street to condemn Sri Lanka’s arrests
TNPF commemorate Kumar Ponnambalam 26 years on
St George’s University wins its first Kings of Gaana
Sri Lankan police heavily deployed as Tamils protest illegally constructed Buddhist temple in Thaiyiddy
Still searching for justice - 20 years on from Trinco 5 killings
‘You are killing cinema’ – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion
Murdered journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge commemorated in Batticaloa
British-Tamil football player speaks on her success at the Deaflympics
From drones to court cases: Sri Lanka’s surveillance grow against Tamil protesters in Thaiyiddy
Tamil temple still denied land and access as governor urged to intervene
British Tamils protest at Downing Street to condemn Sri Lanka’s arrests
TNPF commemorate Kumar Ponnambalam 26 years on
St George’s University wins its first Kings of Gaana
Sri Lankan police heavily deployed as Tamils protest illegally constructed Buddhist temple in Thaiyiddy
Still searching for justice - 20 years on from Trinco 5 killings