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…

Former LTTE combatants make their parliamentary bid

Karunanidhi Yasodini, a former LTTE combatant, officially launched her campaign in Mannar as a candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka. Representing the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) in the Vavuniya electoral district, Yasodini is contesting under the conch symbol and has garnered significant support from fellow former combatants.

Mullaitivu Press Club calls for international 'judicially empowered probe' into killings and disappearances of journalists

Mullaitivu Press Club has called for a 'judicially empowered probe' with the participation of international media watchdogs and legal experts to investigate the killings and disappearances of journalists in Sri Lanka. 

In a statement marking the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Tamil journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, the press club highlighted the continued harassment, intimidation, and surveillance faced by journalists, particularly Tamil journalists, on the island.

'I was treated like a murderer' - Sri Lankan police arrest Tamil journalist after exposing government corruption

S. Nilanthan, a Batticaloa-based Tamil journalist, was arrested for his reporting on alleged corruption involving a local Sri Lankan government official in 2020 earlier today.

Nilanthan, who is also a correspondent for the Tamil Guardian, was later released on bail by the Eravur Magistrate but has been ordered to appear in court at the next hearing.

Tamil Students denied transport on A9 key Sri Lankan road network

Despite the steady flow of buses along the A9 highway, a critical artery connecting the North-East of Sri Lanka with the rest of the country, Tamil schoolchildren from several villages are being denied rides by both private and government-run buses. Frustrated by what they say is systemic racism and neglect, families and parents have in the past taken to blocking the road in protest, accusing the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners of discriminatory practices.

Eelam Tamils demand new Governor help to release military occupied land

Eelam Tamil residents and activists staged a protest outside the Northern Province Governor's office in Jaffna this week, demanding the return of land that remains occupied by the Sri Lankan military.

Sri Lankan police target yet another Tamil mother of the disappeared

In yet another incident highlighting the Sri Lankan state’s ongoing harassment of Tamil activists, Manuel Uthayachandra, the President of the Mannar District Families of the Disappeared organization, faced an attempt by Sri Lankan police to arrest her while she was away from her home.

The Sri Lankan police arrived at her residence in Mannar and informed her family that she was to be arrested and should immediately report to the police station. At the time, Uthayachandra was in Colombo receiving medical treatment.

Jaffna Teaching Hospital commemorates 68 staff and patients massacred by IPKF

Jaffna Teaching Hospital held an event today to commemorate the Tamil staff and patients that were massacred by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) at the hospital 37 years ago. 

Jaffna Teaching Hospital held an event today to commemorate the Tamil staff and patients that were massacred by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) at the hospital 37 years ago. 

Is Sri Lanka a cybercrime hub? Foreign Minister warns of impact on fragile economy

Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Vijitha Herath acknowledged the growing problem of the island becoming a hub for international cybercrimes, warning that its shaky economic recovery might be impacted.

“We have to see if Sri Lanka is a cyber crimes hub,” Herath told reporters, “and whether our financial system is being affected by this.”

Tamil dissatisfaction is growing, warns Jaffna University Students’ Union

The Jaffna University Students' Union warned that dissatisfaction is brewing among Tamil youth as they slammed the current political class for failing to push forward Tamil nationalism, and leaving the Tamil people feeling abandoned by their leaders.

Sid Sriram shines at O2 Arena in biggest UK solo concert yet

Sid Sriram joined a long list of illustrious names to perform at the O2 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula, last Sunday, to mark his biggest UK solo concert to date. The multi-talented versatile singer adds another feather to his musical journey progressing from last year’s performance at the OVO Arena, Wembley.