Sri Lanka’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission 'is a joke' - TNPF leader tells Tamil Guardian

Tamil Guardian caught up with Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam to hear his thoughts on Sri Lanka's Truth and Reconcilication Commission, international accountability, the repressive environment of the North-East and Tamil political representation.

Tamil nationalism must begin from graves of Eelam fighters - Shritharan's exclusive interview

The newly elected leader of the Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Sivagnanam Shritharan spoke to the Tamil Guardian for an exclusive interview on how he hopes to further Tamil aspirations.

‘Prisoner #1056’ chronicles Tamil resilience - Interview with Roy Ratnavel

Author Roy Ratnavel visited London for the launch of his novel ‘Prisoner #1056.’ Ratnavel’s book, a bestseller in Canada, details an introspective journey, recounting his idyllic upbringing in Point Pedro before turning to the horrors of imprisonment during the armed struggle, leading to his resettlement in Canada.

‘Sri Lanka must be referred to the ICC’ – CV Wigneswaran speaks with Tamil Guardian

Amidst the 51 st session of the UN Human Rights Council session, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootan (TMTK), CV Wigneswaran, spoke with Tamil Guardian on issues of devolution, the 13 th amendment, the weaknesses of the UNHRC resolution, and the need for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

‘Sri Lanka’s judiciary is not free and independent' – Sandya Ekneligoda speaks with Tamil Guardian

Speaking with Tamil Guardian, Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of forcibly disappeared journalist and human rights activist Prageeth Ekneligoda, gave a damning indictment of Sri Lanka’s judiciary maintaining that it is not “free and independent” and could not deliver justice for victims. “Even though, it is supposed to be independent, I have witnessed enough that, always the executive (president) and the parliamentarians (MPs) have influenced the judiciary. So, the judiciary has become ineffective and if the judges are unable to exercise their powers freely and independently”, she told our journalists...

‘Steps must be towards an ICC referral’ - MA Sumanthiran speaks with Tamil Guardian

During the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesperson and MP MA Sumanthiran spoke with Tamil Guardian on a range of topics, including the latest UN resolution, the economy of the Tamil homeland, the need for an ICC referral and current geopolitical tensions between India and China. “He’s holding the seat for the Rajapaksa government” Asked about his views on the Wickremesinghe administration, Sumanthiran noted that whilst he would engage with the administration as he did the last, he remains sceptical about the possibility of progressive reforms. “...

‘The OMP is an inactive mechanism’ - Tamil families of the disappeared speak to Tamil Guardian at the UNHRC

Speaking to Tamil Guardian at the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), representatives of the Tamil families of the disappeared reiterated their lack of confidence in domestic mechanisms such as the Office of the Missing Persons (OMP) and how the Sri Lankan state has been trying to quash their continuous roadside protests.

ICC referral, Sri Lanka’s economic crisis & 13th Amendment - TG speaks with TELO spokesperson

Speaking to the Tamil Guardian this week at the 51st session of UNHRC, Koorrusuwaahmy Sorrenthiran, the spokesperson for the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), reiterates calls for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal court (ICC) as well as emphasising the need for self-determination for Tamils. Tamils have been calling for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) but “that portion is missing” from the draft resolution that was made public earlier this week. Sorrenthiran noted that the draft resolution talks about Sri Lanka’s financial...

'Accountability must go beyond the UNHRC' - Jaffna Mayor speaks to Tamil Guardian

Speaking to the Tamil Guardian at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Jaffna Mayor V Mannivannan called for a "strong" resolution that either refers Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC) or mandates a special court to investigate Sri Lanka's human rights violations against the Tamil nation. "Many resolutions have been passed on Sri Lanka at this Council but none have been implemented by Sri Lanka. International human rights organisations have also highlighted this," Mannivannan said. The Jaffna Mayor also emphasised that "there is no use in passing further...

Civil society leader calls for internationally monitored referendum – Interview with Tamil Guardian

Speaking to the Tamil Guardian in New York last week, Tamil civil society leader and human rights activist, Velan Swamigal reiterated his call to the international community and India to support a referendum in Tamil Eelam, so that Tamils on the island could determine their own political future.

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