Features

Features

Latest news from and about the homeland

The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held his post for over a month in what has been a turbulent start under the Trump administration.  As global talks of tariffs, and conflict in Ukraine and Gaza continues, we examine Rubio’s hawkish foreign policy approach and his stance on Sri Lanka. A Republican senator from Florida, Rubio has built his political career on a hardline…

Who is Sri Lanka's foreign minister Vijitha Herath?

Vijitha Herath, a staunch Sinhala nationalist and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) stalwart has been appointed Sri Lanka’s country’s Foreign Minister, as well as the Minister of Religious Affairs, Mass Media, Environment, Water Supply, Plantation, Community, Housing, and Transport, among others.

We look back at his record.

Remembering Thileepan's sacrifice 37 years on

Today marks 37 years since the death of Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the LTTE who fasted to death, in a protest appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people.

Today marks 37 years since the death of Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the LTTE who fasted to death, in a protest appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people.

Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Tamils, justice and racism

Sri Lanka's new president has appointed Dr Harini Amarasuriya, a parliamentarian with his National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, as the new prime minister. We look back on Amarasuriya’s previous remarks on Eelam Tamils, racism in Sri Lanka and on devolution of powers through the 13th Amendment.

Who are the candidates standing in Sri Lanka's presidential election?

As we approach Sri Lanka’s presidential election on 21 September, Tamil Guardian takes a closer look at the leading candidates ahead of Saturday's polls.

As we approach Sri Lanka’s presidential election on 21 September, Tamil Guardian takes a closer look at the leading candidates ahead of Saturday's polls.

Ranil Wickremesinghe

Draft UN resolution to extend mandate of war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for 12 months

A draft United Nations Human Rights Council resolution looks set to extend the mandate of a war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for a further year, as the Sri Lankan government continues to reject any prospect of international accountability for mass atrocities this week.

 

Sri Lanka is 'human rights priority' says British minister, as questions over sanctions grow

The British government continues to deem Sri Lanka a “human rights priority country” said Catherine West, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, as she was questioned on the need to impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes.

UN High Commissioner urges Sri Lanka to address 'root causes of the conflict' to advance accountability

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged Sri Lanka to address the "root causes of the conflict" to advance accountability and reconciliation whilst also calling on member states to take action through their own domestic systems and through the international fora. 

Tamil Genocide Education Week Act stands strong - Ontario Court rejects Sri Lankan groups' appeal

The Canadian Court of Appeal for Ontario has affirmed the constitutionality of the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act (TGEWA), rejecting an appeal by Sri Lankan groups challenging the law.

(Ottawa, 11 April, 2009. Photo Credit: Ninaivukal)

ITAK plunges further into chaos as central committee backs Sajith Premadasa

The central committee of the Ilankai Arasu Tamil Katchi (ITAK) announced that it would back Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential elections, in a move that has highlighted the splits and turmoil within the already troubled Tamil political party.

Friend, colleague and supporter of Tamil Eelam struggle - Viraj Mendis is laid to rest

A staunch supporter of Eelam Tamil aspirations and an unwavering voice for those who fought for freedom and safety for asylum seekers, Viraj Mendis was laid to rest in Germany this week.

A staunch supporter of Eelam Tamil aspirations and an unwavering voice for those who fought for freedom and safety for asylum seekers, Viraj Mendis was laid to rest in Germany this week.