Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Civil society urges EU to press Sri Lanka over occupied Valikamam North land
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…

'Buddhist monks should never have done this’ - Nagadeepa chief monk condemns Thaiyiddy land seizure

Jan 12, 2026
The Chief Incumbent of the Nainativu Nagadeepa Vihara, Sri Navadagala Paduma Keerthi Tissa, has strongly criticised the seizure of privately owned Tamil lands for the construction of the Thaiyiddy Tissa Vihara in Jaffna, describing it as a serious wrongdoing carried out in collaboration with the Sri Lankan military.

Upcountry Martyrs’ Day observed at University of Jaffna

Jan 12, 2026
Hill Country Martyrs’ Day commemorated in Jaffna, honoring Mullaiyoa Govindan and other plantation Tamil martyrs

Jaffna marks 52 years since World Tamil Research Conference massacre

Jan 12, 2026
The 52nd anniversary of the massacre of Tamils during the Fourth World Tamil Research Conference was commemorated Saturday in Jaffna, in remembrance of those killed in the state violence that unfolded during the landmark academic gathering in 1974.

Sri Lanka Cricket presses on with Mandaitivu stadium as environmental concerns mount

Jan 12, 2026
Construction of the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium in Mandaitivu is continuing and progressing according to government plans, despite sustained criticism from environmental organisations over the project’s legality and its potential impact on fragile local ecosystems.

‘Kandarodai Vihara’ sign removed in Jaffna after Pradeshiya Sabha resolution

Jan 12, 2026
A signboard referring to the “Kandarodai Vihara” has been removed following a resolution adopted by the Jaffna–Valikamam South Pradeshiya Sabha to officially identify the area as the “Kandarodai Archaeological Research Centre.”

Parasakthi - A misfire

Jan 12, 2026
Gopi Selva

Remembering Major Sothiya

Jan 11, 2026

Today marks 36 years since the passing of Major Sothiya, the commander of the LTTE's first female unit. 

Maria Vasanthi Michael, known by her nomme de guerre ‘Sothiya’, was born on 20 September 1963. She first joined the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 1984.

A formidable fighter, Sothiya took part in many battles, as female cadres began to take part in combat operations from 1986 onwards.

When Douglas Devananda walked free through the United Nations

Jan 9, 2026
Thusiyan Nandakumar
I have only seen Douglas Devandanda in person once in my life. It was in the most unusual of places.

Sri Lanka renews sweeping ban on Tamil diaspora groups in latest terror gazette

Jan 9, 2026

gazette

The Sri Lanka government has issued a new extraordinary gazette renewing and extending its long-running ban on several Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, continuing to designate them as “terrorists”.

Who is Douglas Devananda? Inside Sri Lanka’s state-backed paramilitary figure

Jan 9, 2026
Devananda’s career spans decades of Sri Lanka’s genocide against Tamils, marked by close alignment with the state and repeated ministerial appointments, as he was shielded from accountability for grave human rights violations.
'Buddhist monks should never have done this’ - Nagadeepa chief monk condemns Thaiyiddy land seizure
Upcountry Martyrs’ Day observed at University of Jaffna
Jaffna marks 52 years since World Tamil Research Conference massacre
Sri Lanka Cricket presses on with Mandaitivu stadium as environmental concerns mount
‘Kandarodai Vihara’ sign removed in Jaffna after Pradeshiya Sabha resolution
Parasakthi - A misfire
Remembering Major Sothiya
When Douglas Devananda walked free through the United Nations
Sri Lanka renews sweeping ban on Tamil diaspora groups in latest terror gazette
Who is Douglas Devananda? Inside Sri Lanka’s state-backed paramilitary figure
'Buddhist monks should never have done this’ - Nagadeepa chief monk condemns Thaiyiddy land seizure
Upcountry Martyrs’ Day observed at University of Jaffna
Jaffna marks 52 years since World Tamil Research Conference massacre
Sri Lanka Cricket presses on with Mandaitivu stadium as environmental concerns mount
‘Kandarodai Vihara’ sign removed in Jaffna after Pradeshiya Sabha resolution
Parasakthi - A misfire
Remembering Major Sothiya
When Douglas Devananda walked free through the United Nations
Sri Lanka renews sweeping ban on Tamil diaspora groups in latest terror gazette
Who is Douglas Devananda? Inside Sri Lanka’s state-backed paramilitary figure