Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Pon. Sivakumaran's sacrifice remembered in Urumpirai
Pon. Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle, was remembered today in Urumpirai, Jaffna, on the 52nd anniversary of his death.  Sivakumaran was a member of the Tamil Manavar Peravai (or Tamil Student Federation, TSF) and a leading militant in the early armed Tamil struggle. On 5th June 1974, Sivakumaran was surrounded by Sri Lankan security forces. He had…

TYO pan-European conference in London highlights leadership, identity and resistance

Oct 3, 2025
The Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) hosted its annual Tamil Youth Conference in London on Saturday, bringing together more than 100 Eelam Tamil youth from nine European countries in a gathering that combined political reflection, professional development and cultural expression.

‘Promised food and money’ - Hired protesters caught backing Mannar power project

Oct 3, 2025
As protests against the controversial Mannar wind power project continued this week, locals have reported suspicions over apparent attempts to manufacture support for the scheme.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former security chief remanded over undeclared millions

Oct 3, 2025

Neville Wanniarachchi, the former Chief Security Officer of ex-Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has been remanded until 17 October on charges of failing to disclose the source of millions of rupees’ worth of assets.

Wanniarachchi, a retired Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant Colonel, appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on Thursday to provide a statement. He was subsequently arrested and produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama, who ordered his remand.

Sinhala collective slams NPP government for ‘ignoring’ Tamil diaspora activism in Geneva

Oct 3, 2025
A Sinhala-Buddhist organisation has lodged a protest with the Swiss Embassy in Colombo, demanding action against what it described as “LTTE activities” in Geneva.

Sri Lanka refuses to join UN walkout during Netanyahu’s Gaza speech

Oct 3, 2025

A Sri Lankan diplomat remained in the chamber of the United Nations General Assembly as dozens of delegates walked out in protest during a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week.

As Netanyahu took to the podium, representatives from across the globe left their seats, with large sections of the hall standing empty. Outside the UN, protesters gathered in Times Square, condemning Israel’s assault on Gaza.

Shanakiyan slams NPP MPs for boasting credit on Murakkoddanchenai camp release

Oct 3, 2025
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has criticised members of the ruling party for falsely claiming responsibility for the release of the Murakkoddanchenai military camp in Batticaloa, stressing that the move only came after sustained pressure and repeated appeals.

‘Open KKS for trade’ - Jaffna Chamber petitions Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister

Oct 3, 2025
Traders in Jaffna have petitioned Sri Lanka’s Minister of Trade, Wasantha Samarasinghe, to allow the import of goods through the Kankesanthurai (KKS) port, including clothing and vehicle spare parts.

Sri Lanka admits ‘mistakes’ and claims land in Vanni will be released

Oct 2, 2025
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi has announced that 101,762.75 acres of land in the Vanni are to be released from state control, in what the government framed as a corrective measure after decades of military seizure and bureaucratic mismanagement.

Prisons not playgrounds: Sri Lanka keeps 39 young children locked up with mothers

Oct 2, 2025
Prison authorities in Sri Lanka have confirmed that 39 children under the age of five are currently growing up with their mothers inside prisons across the island, including facilities in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Jaffna. 

Foreign Buddhist monks among eight killed in Sri Lanka’s deadliest cable car crash

Oct 1, 2025
The death toll from last week’s cable car crash in Sri Lanka’s northwestern Kurunegala district has risen to eight, after a monk injured in the accident died in hospital on Sunday.
TYO pan-European conference in London highlights leadership, identity and resistance
‘Promised food and money’ - Hired protesters caught backing Mannar power project
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former security chief remanded over undeclared millions
Sinhala collective slams NPP government for ‘ignoring’ Tamil diaspora activism in Geneva
Sri Lanka refuses to join UN walkout during Netanyahu’s Gaza speech
Shanakiyan slams NPP MPs for boasting credit on Murakkoddanchenai camp release
‘Open KKS for trade’ - Jaffna Chamber petitions Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister
Sri Lanka admits ‘mistakes’ and claims land in Vanni will be released
Prisons not playgrounds: Sri Lanka keeps 39 young children locked up with mothers
Foreign Buddhist monks among eight killed in Sri Lanka’s deadliest cable car crash
TYO pan-European conference in London highlights leadership, identity and resistance
‘Promised food and money’ - Hired protesters caught backing Mannar power project
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former security chief remanded over undeclared millions
Sinhala collective slams NPP government for ‘ignoring’ Tamil diaspora activism in Geneva
Sri Lanka refuses to join UN walkout during Netanyahu’s Gaza speech
Shanakiyan slams NPP MPs for boasting credit on Murakkoddanchenai camp release
‘Open KKS for trade’ - Jaffna Chamber petitions Sri Lanka’s Trade Minister
Sri Lanka admits ‘mistakes’ and claims land in Vanni will be released
Prisons not playgrounds: Sri Lanka keeps 39 young children locked up with mothers
Foreign Buddhist monks among eight killed in Sri Lanka’s deadliest cable car crash