Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

‘Speak to the affected Tamil people and see the truth’ - Tamil lawyer tells UN High Commissioner

 

Dominic Premananth, a Tamil lawyer and human rights activist, has called on the UN High Commissioner Volker Türk to “speak to the affected Tamil people and see the truth” during his visit to the island this week.

Roads leading to paddy fields cut off in Mullaitivu

A major road connecting Buthanwayal to Madavalasingan Kulam in the Karaithuraipattu division of Mullaitivu district has been abruptly severed due to ongoing bridge construction, leaving Tamil farmers in distress and accusing government officials of negligence.

Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission calls for urgent repeal of PTA

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has written to the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, urging the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), following its findings in the case of Mohamad Liyaudeen Mohamed Rusdi.

Anywhere but home – Sri Lankans in Israel refuse to come back

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has said that only a handful of the nearly 20,000 Sri Lankans currently in Israel have requested to return home, despite escalating tensions in the region due to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran and its assault on Gaza.

NPP under fire as it backs paramilitary party in Vakarai

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam has criticised the National People’s Power (NPP) party, accusing it of lacking consistent principles after it supported the candidate from the paramilitary Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) in the Vakarai Pradeshiya Sabha council vote.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk begins official visit to Sri Lanka

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has arrived in Sri Lanka, marking the first visit by a UN rights chief to the island since 2016.

Sri Lanka stocks fall as Iran votes to close Strait of Hormuz

Sri Lanka stocks slid 1.89 percent following Iran’s announcement that its parliament had voted to close the Strait of Hormuz. 

Sri Lanka Core Group raises concerns over accountability at UN Human Rights Council

At the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Sri Lanka Core Group, comprising of Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom, expressed continued concern over Sri Lanka’s lack of progress on human rights and accountability commitments.

Sri Lankan Navy accused of mid-sea assault on Tamil Nadu fishermen

The Sri Lankan Navy is accused of assaulting and chasing away a group of fishermen from Rameshwaram while at sea, shortly after they resumed fishing following the end of Tamil Nadu’s seasonal fishing ban.

Sri Lankan army soldier arrested for sexually harassing schoolgirl in Mannar

A Sri Lankan army soldier has been arrested for sexually harassing a schoolgirl in the Murunkan area of Mannar last week.