Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Civil society representatives in Jaffna have called on the European Union to urge the Sri Lankan government to revoke the gazette acquiring 6,317 acres of land in Valikamam North, arguing that the land continues to be withheld from its civilian owners years after the end of the armed conflict. The appeal was made in a written submission during a meeting on Tuesday between the EU Ambassador to…

Sri Lanka adrift in a gathering storm

Sri Lanka’s political establishment has been walking a tightrope this week, after the island was thrust into global headlines following the sinking of an Iranian warship by a United States submarine. 

Thaiyiddy protest crackdown under scrutiny as rights commission launches probe

Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission has launched an inquiry into allegations that police assaulted protesters during a demonstration against the controversial Thaiyiddy Vihara in Jaffna.

Sri Lanka extends emergency rule citing Middle East war

Sri Lanka’s government has moved to extend the state of emergency, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and potential disruptions to essential services in the coming weeks.

Iranian warship sought visit to Sri Lanka days before deadly attack, Dissanayake confirms

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has confirmed that Iran had requested permission for its naval vessels to visit Sri Lanka days before one of its warships was struck near the island’s southern coast.

‘Do we not have sonar?’ - Premadasa challenges Colombo over US submarine strike

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned how a US submarine was able to enter Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and carry out an attack on an Iranian naval vessel without the government being aware of its present.

Second Iranian vessel to dock in Trincomalee days after US sinks Iranian warship

A second Iranian vessel, the Irins Bushehr, is expected to dock at Trincomalee port after 208 crew members were evacuated in Colombo due to an engine malfunction. The incident comes just days after the United States sank an Iranian warship, the Iris Dena, near Sri Lanka. 

Shanakiyan demands probe into military intelligence links to armed groups

Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam questioned the Sri Lankan government in parliament yesterday over alleged links between military intelligence and armed groups, raising concerns about the lack of accountability for a series of violent incidents.

Sri Lankans top foreign death toll fighting for Russia in Ukraine war

At least 275 Sri Lankan nationals have been killed while fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine, according to a report in Himal Southasian.

Second Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka as Colombo provides ‘maximum intervention’

Sri Lanka has confirmed that another Iranian naval vessel is currently operating in waters close to the island’s maritime boundary, as the fallout from the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena continues to unfold.

‘Our land must be returned’ – Protest over illegal Buddhist temple continues

Tamil residents staged a protest this week against the construction of an illegal Buddhist vihara in the Thaiyiddy area, built on lands belonging to local Tamil families that were forcibly appropriated.