Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A protest march was held last month opposing limestone excavation, mineral sand mining and a proposed wind power project across the villages of Veravil, Valaipadu, Ponnaveli and Kiranchi, in the Poonakary Divisional Secretariat division of Kilinochchi. The demonstration was organised against plans to establish wind power stations and to carry out mineral sand and limestone extraction in the…

Black flags across the Tamil homeland as Sri Lanka celebrates 76th Independence Day

Tamils are protesting across the North-East today on Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day as Tamils continue to lack basic rights in their homeland. 

For decades, the day has been marked as a 'Black Day' by Eelam Tamils, who see it as a reminder of Sri Lankan state oppression.

Sri Lankan minister arrested for fake drugs scandal

Sri Lanka’s former health minister and current environment minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, has been arrested by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) following revelations that close a half million dollars ($465,000) spent on a life-saving drugs that failed quality tests.

Mannar residents demand return of land from Sri Lankan occupation

The villagers of Isaimalaithalvu in Mannar staged a protest demanding the Nanattan Divisional Secretariat hand over 46 acres of land presently held by the Sri Lankan Forest Department.

We are tiger cubs!' - Vijay's support for the Tamil Eelam cause

With Tamil Nadu actor Vijay announcing the formation of a new political party in Tamil Nadu, we look back at his history of support for the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle.

Actor Vijay to quit cinema and enter politics to 'help Tamil community'

Vijay addresses a protest demanding the Sri Lankan consulate in Tamil Nadu is shut down, 2014.

Renowned Tamil Nadu actor 'Thalapathy' Vijay, one of the highest-paid in India, today announced he is qutting acting and entering politics in order to "help the people of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil community". 

OHCHR says Online Safety Bill will have 'far-reaching negative implications' for human rights

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that the Online Safety Bill will have "far-reaching negative implications for human rights" and called on the Sri Lankan government to amend the bill to comply with its human rights obligations. 

North and East is not part of Sinhala Sri Lanka. It is Tamil Eelam' - Jaffna MP CV Wigneswaran

In a hard-hitting letter, Justice C V Wigneswaran, Member of Parliament from the Jaffna District slammed Sri Lanka's former High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda proposal to absolve the provincial councils and reiterated calls for a United Nations supervised referendum in the North-East.

Investigation launched into Sri Lankan Police's assault of Tamil youth

Photo of Sri Lankan police

Responding to a brutal assault of a Tamil youth by Sri Lankan officers, attached to the Achchuveli Police, the Jaffna regional office of the National Human Rights Commission has initiated an investigation into the incident.

Sri Lanka’s president defends IGP appointment and claims authority over Constitutional Council

Sri Lanka’s president defended his controversial appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the head of the island’s police force, and claimed that Constitutional Council “is part of the Executive,” in a demonstration of his apparent willingness to consolidate power in the president’s office.

Ranil brings back a Rajapaksa - Shasheendra given portfolio

The son of Chamal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former speaker and minister, Shasheendra has been appointed by Ranil Wickremesinghe as the State Minister for Irrigation and Water Resources Management, in a move that sees a member of the Rajapaksa family back in government, after the former president was ousted by protests in 2022.