Features

Features

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamil Canadians demonstrate on the 10th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide in Ottawa, 2019. The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal filed by Sri Lankan groups challenging Bill 104, also known as the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, reaffirming Ontario’s legislation that paves the way for continued education and commemoration efforts around the Tamil genocide. The appeal,…

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.

Protests and boycott campaign hit Canada’s Tamil Fest

Tamil Fest, an annual street festival organised by the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) to celebrate Tamil culture and identity, was marred by controversy, after protests demanded the organisation apologise for meeting with accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka last year.

Remembering the Sencholai massacre 18 years on

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

On August 14 2006, four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers. 

EXCLUSIVE - Sri Lanka attempts to halt construction of Tamil Genocide memorial in Canada

The Sri Lankan government’s representative in Toronto has formally written to the Mayor of Brampton, in a bid to try and halt the construction of a monument dedicated to the victims of the Tamil genocide.

Remembering Black July 41 years on

Today marks 41 years since the horrors of the anti-Tamil pogrom of 1983, when thousands of Tamils were killed by Sinhala mobs backed by the then UNP government and state forces.