Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The LGBTQIA+ community in Jaffna held their fifth annual Pride Walk, under the theme  “We Exist For Each Other".  The walk, organised by the Jaffna Transgender Network, began outside the iconic Jaffna Public Library and proceeded along Hospital Road and Pannai Road before ending at Jaffna Fort.  Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, human rights activists, civil society…

Change overdue

After 14 years of Conservative government, the British Labour Party has returned to power. In the days since assuming office, the newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that Britain is “back on the international stage”, having held key meetings with NATO allies and European leaders.

Sri Lankan courts grants bail to racist monk

Less than four months after a Sri Lankan High Court sentenced racist Buddhist monk Gnanasara Thero to four years of rigorous imprisonment for defamatory remarks he made against the Muslim community, he was released on bail. The order was issued when the revision petition was filed by Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero and was taken up for consideration. 

‘A proud moment for French Tamils’ – Baker carries Olympic Torch ahead of Paris Games

Tamils lined the streets of Paris with flags and flowers to celebrate as Tamil baker Tharshan Selvarajah became the first Eelam Tamil to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the Paris Games.

Selvarajah was cheered on by friends and members of the French Tamil diaspora as he carried the torch through the streets of Paris last week.

 

'We struggled a lot to make this film' - Tamil Guardian speaks with Oozhi director Ranjith Joseph

Following the global release of the 'Oozhi: A Dark Age', the Tamil Guardian interviewed its director Ranjith Jospeh to discuss the creative process behind making the film and why the film is important in educating the younger generation about the Tamil struggle.

 

‘Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand’ – Sri Lanka’s Chief Whip encourages extrajudicial killings

Speaking in parliament, the Sri Lankan government’s chief whip and public security minister, Tiran Alles, encouraged the police to engage in extrajudicial killings claiming “eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin”.

“Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing, and we stand by you” he added.

Obituary - Rajavarothiam Sampanthan

Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, a veteran figure of Tamil politics has passed away aged 91. He died whilst still in office, holding the post as the Member of Parliament for Trincomalee and a record as the oldest lawmaker on the island

Stalin calls for activation of diplomatic channels over fishing row

Politicians are intensifying pressure on the central government in response to the recent arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy. The maritime boundary dispute between Sri Lanka and India has escalated, with Indian fishermen resuming fishing activities within Sri Lanka’s waters after the annual fish breeding period.

Indian HC eyes abandoned Oddusuddan brick and tile factory

The Indian High Commission Head of Chancery, and Commercial Representative Shri V Ram Mahesh made a visit to the long-abandoned Oddusuddan Brick and Tile Factory signifying an interest in the Indian government's attempt to revive the debilitated factory.

Consecutive governments, private companies, and even the military which claim a significant part of real estate in the homeland that houses military camps have attempted to revive the factory, with little fruition. 

Wickremesinghe lauds war criminal Fonseka for ‘instrumental leadership’

Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe who attended former commander Sarath Fonseka’s book launch, lauded the accused war criminal for his “instrumental leadership” and defended his military recorded, which includes overseeing a genocide that killed tens of thousands of Tamil civilians.