Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, met with Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in Islamabad this week on the sidelines of the 5th Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue, the Sri Lankan government announced. The meeting took place on Tuesday 29 April, the second day of the three-day dialogue, which aims to enhance defence cooperation…

Sri Lanka's president urges voters to get rid of any opposition in parliament

Sri Lanka's newly elected president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, declared there is no longer a need for an Opposition in Parliament, as he addressed supporters last week.

Speaking at the first rally for the 2024 Gampaha District parliamentary election in Katunayake, he urged voters to ‘eradicate political opposition’ and elect a government capable of handling both ‘internal and external challenges’ effectively.

Sri Lanka flips decision not to censure Israel over UN ban on UN Secretary-General

The Sri Lankan government has reportedly reversed a decision not to sign a letter which has been backed by 105 states, criticising Israel’s decision to bar United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres from entering the country.

Cleaning at Vannivilankulam LTTE cemetery begins ahead of Maaveerar Naal

Cleaning at Vannivilankulam Thuyilum Illam in Mullaitivu has begun in preparation of Maaveerar Naal next month. 

Tamils laid flowers at a destroyed LTTE gravestone to remember fallen cadres before they started the cleaning process. The LTTE built cemetries, also known as Thuyilum Illams, across Tamil Eelam to house the bodies of their fallen fighters. Following the end of the armed conflict, the Sri Lankan army bulldozed over the cemetries and in some areas, built army bases over them. 

Safety concerns as vital link bridge left in disrepair

In a concerning development, the Sangupiddy Bridge—a crucial transportation link connecting the Mannar, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna districts along the A-32 road—faces significant safety risks.

Anywhere but Jaffna - Gotabaya Rajapaksa refuses to testify in disappearance case

Former Sri Lankan president and credibly accused war criminal Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has refused to travel to Jaffna to testify in the case concerning the enforced disappearances of political activists Lalith Kumar and Kugan Murugananthan.

Both activists, members of the Frontline Socialist Party, went missing on December 9, 2011, in Jaffna while Rajapaksa served as the Defence Secretary.

Diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka warn 'serious risk' of attack on tourist hot spot

The US Embassy, Russian Embassy, British High Commission and Australian High Commission in Colombo have cautioned its personnel and warned its citizens from travelling to Arugam Bay in the East, stating there is "credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area." 

 

Tamil asylum seekers in Diego Garcia excluded from new transfer agreement

Tamil asylum seekers stranded on Diego Garcia have been excluded from a new agreement between the UK and St Helena governments to transfer asylum seekers arriving at the Chagos Islands to St Helena.

Protests over illegally constructed Buddhist temple continue in Thaiyiddy

Tamils protested outside the Tissa Raja Vihara, a Buddhist temple which was illegally constructed and encroaches on the lands owned by local residents in Thaiyiddy, Jaffna. 

Every Poya (full moon) day, Tamils gather at the site to protest the Buddhist temple which was illegally constructed on land that is occupied by the Sri Lankan army. 

Ariyanenthiran and supporters summoned by Sri Lanka's TID

P. Ariyanenthiran, who contested Sri Lanka's recent presidential elections as the Tamil 'common candidate' has been summoned by Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), alongside supporters of his campaign, for interrogation by the authorities.

Jaffna Tamil powerlifter breaks national records and grabs medals at Commonwealth championship

Jaffna’s own 29-year-old Satkunarasa Pushanthan achieved an outstanding feat at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship 2024, winning an overall silver medal at the international competition. Pushanthan had a total lift of 827.5 kg, smashing three national records to solidify his place as one of the island's top powerlifters.