Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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UNP rallies to defend Buddhist institutions amid clergy misconduct controversy
Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of attempting to undermine Buddhism and interfere in the affairs of the Buddhist clergy, as controversy continues over proposed reforms aimed at addressing misconduct within the Buddhist Sangha. The dispute comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Buddhist institutions following allegations of…

Jaffna commemorates Thirumalai Natarajan, slain for defying the Lion Flag

Feb 6, 2026
The 69th anniversary of the killing of Thirumalai Natarajan was commemorated on Wednesday, in Jaffna, with Tamils gathering to honour a young life cut short during one of the earliest protests against Sinhala majoritarian rule on Sri Lanka’s ‘Independence Day’.

Sri Lankan military intelligence accused of intimidating Tamil protesters in Amparai

Feb 6, 2026
Sri Lankan military intelligence personnel have been accused of intimidating relatives of the forcibly disappeared travelling from the Amparai District to Batticaloa to participate in a protest march to mark Sri Lanka’s ‘Independence Day’ this week.

Pressure mounts on Sri Lanka to repeal PTA amid parliamentary and Church opposition

Feb 6, 2026
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam has tabled a private members’ bill in Parliament seeking the swift repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), intensifying pressure on the government over what he describes as a broken election promise and the continued use of a law long condemned for enabling grave human rights abuses.

Sri Lanka expands Israeli job applications as labour ties persist amid Gaza crisis

Feb 6, 2026
The Sri Lankan government has announced a new concession aimed at expanding labour migration to Israel, further entrenching Colombo’s cooperation with Tel Aviv even as Israel continues its devastating assault on Gaza.

Sri Lankan military fells palmyrah trees despite assurances of land release

Feb 5, 2026
Even as assurances were given to civil authorities that civilian agricultural lands in Jaffna’s High Security Zone would be released, Sri Lankan military personnel have moved to fell palmyrah trees on privately owned land surrounding Jaffna International Airport, in preparation for military-run agricultural activity.

In Pictures - Sri Lankan police attempt to block Batticaloa march as Tamils mark ‘Black Day’

Feb 5, 2026

Sri Lankan police attempted to block a major march in Batticaloa on Wednesday as hundreds of Tamils took to the streets to declare Sri Lanka’s ‘Independence Day’ a day of mourning.

Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission warns of growing threats to freedom of expression

Feb 5, 2026

Press freedom

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued a warning over what it describes as deeply troubling threats to freedom of expression on the island, particularly targeting journalists and online speech.

Sri Lanka's proposed bill for tenants may scare off foreign investment

Feb 5, 2026
Sri Lanka’s proposed Protection of Occupants Bill, 2025 has ignited a debate, with critics warning that a law intended to shield tenants from harassment and unlawful eviction may instead destabilise the rental market, undermine legal certainty, and scare away much-needed foreign investment.

At a Buddhist temple, Sri Lanka launches programme to rebuild religious sites

Feb 5, 2026

temple reconstruction

The Sri Lankan government this week launched an island-wide programme to reconstruct religious sites damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, with the initiative inaugurated at a Buddhist temple in the central highlands under the direct supervision of Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

British Tamils protest Sri Lanka's 78th Independence Day

Feb 4, 2026

Thousands of British Tamils gathered in London today to protest against Sri Lanka's 78th Independence Day, a day marked by the Tamil nation as a 'black day'. 

Eelam Tamils have rejected the day for decades as they continue to be denied basic rights in the North-East. 

Jaffna commemorates Thirumalai Natarajan, slain for defying the Lion Flag
Sri Lankan military intelligence accused of intimidating Tamil protesters in Amparai
Pressure mounts on Sri Lanka to repeal PTA amid parliamentary and Church opposition
Sri Lanka expands Israeli job applications as labour ties persist amid Gaza crisis
Sri Lankan military fells palmyrah trees despite assurances of land release
In Pictures - Sri Lankan police attempt to block Batticaloa march as Tamils mark ‘Black Day’
Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission warns of growing threats to freedom of expression
Sri Lanka's proposed bill for tenants may scare off foreign investment
At a Buddhist temple, Sri Lanka launches programme to rebuild religious sites
British Tamils protest Sri Lanka's 78th Independence Day
Jaffna commemorates Thirumalai Natarajan, slain for defying the Lion Flag
Sri Lankan military intelligence accused of intimidating Tamil protesters in Amparai
Pressure mounts on Sri Lanka to repeal PTA amid parliamentary and Church opposition
Sri Lanka expands Israeli job applications as labour ties persist amid Gaza crisis
Sri Lankan military fells palmyrah trees despite assurances of land release
In Pictures - Sri Lankan police attempt to block Batticaloa march as Tamils mark ‘Black Day’
Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission warns of growing threats to freedom of expression
Sri Lanka's proposed bill for tenants may scare off foreign investment
At a Buddhist temple, Sri Lanka launches programme to rebuild religious sites
British Tamils protest Sri Lanka's 78th Independence Day