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…

Tamil Genocide Day marked in Mannar

Memorials were held in Mannar today as the Tamil nation mourns the genocide that took place in Mullivaikkal 14 years ago. 

The North-East Coordinating Committee held a vigil outside Mannar District hospital. Participants lit a flame and served Mullivaikkal kanji to remember the Tamils lives that were lost. 

Justice Accountability and Genocide Recognition for Mullivaikkal Victims' - PEARL

Marking the 14th Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, PEARL notes that Sri Lanka will not implement a 'sustainable political solution' to 'prevent future violence and violations' and calls on the international states to address Tamils' longstanding grievances. 

Tamils gather in Mullivaikkal to mark Tamil Genocide Day

Hundreds of Tamils have gathered in Mullivaikkal yard today to remember the massacre that took place 14 years ago. 

Flower tributes at Nandikadal to commemorate Mullivaikkal massacre

Flowers were scattered at Nandikadal lagoon this morning under the chairmanship of former Northern Provincial Councillor Thurairasa Ravikaran to mark Tamil Genocide Day. 

"Nandikadal, which has been a silent witness to the atrocities subjected to the Tamil people, contains the tears and blood of our relatives," Ravikaran said to the media. 

Sri Lankan government should 'stop stalling' and investigate human rights violations says HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) told the Sri Lankan government to "stop stalling and fulfill its obligation to investigate and prosecute the grave violations for which many people still suffer" in a statement marking 14 years since the Tamil genocide. 

"Fourteen years later, the Sri Lankan government remains in denial about the atrocities committed by its forces. The Mothers of the Disappeared, a group that has persistently sought to learn the fate of their loved ones, face harassment from security agencies, while the government provides neither information nor justice," the rights group wrote. 

British MPs unite to commemorate Mullivaikkal Tamil Remembrance Day

In a show of unity and solidarity, British Members of Parliament (MPs) from different political parties gathered at the Palace of Westminster today to mark Mullivaikkal Tamil Remembrance Day and honour the victims of the genocide committed against the Tamils in Sri Lanka. The event was organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG-T) and featured the signing of a Book of Remembrance, a video presentation, and an exhibition.

UK Shadow Foreign Secretary calls for Sri Lanka to be referred to ICC

Marking the 14th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, the UK's Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has urged the British government to act upon the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and refer Sri Lankan war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Preparations completed in Mullivaikkal ahead of Tamil Genocide Day

Preparations were completed at Mullivaikkal memorial yard today ahead of Tamil Genocide Day which falls on May 18. 

Aruthpani Leo Adikalalar, one of the co-chairs of the North-East Mullivaikal Memorial Foundation, said that all the preparations for the Tamil Genocide commemoration at Mullivaikal yard have been completed and everyone is invited to gather there tomorrow.

Sri Lankan police arrest Tamil man over 'Tamil Genocide Memorial Day' banner

A Tamil man was arrested and released on police bail yesterday for having a banner which read "Tamil Genocide Memorial Day". 

Pathmanathan Sirojan, a staff member of the AHAM Humanitarian Resource Centre was reportedly arrested by the Ayithamalai police during an commemoration event in Naripulthottam, Batticaloa. 

Commemorative events have been taking place across the North-East in the lead up to May 18, also known as 'Tamil Genocide Day', to remember the tens of thousands of Tamils that were massacred in a military offensive by Sri Lanka. 

Farhana - A blessing in disguise

Nelson Venkatesan’s previous outing was a well-made family entertainer called ‘Monster,’ starring a typically cartoonish SJ Suryah as a man haunted by a mouse. The film is innocent fun, which are two words I would not use to describe his most recent work ‘Farhana.’ Venkatesan completely shifts gears, to deliver a solidly thought-out thriller. It impressively weaves through themes of masks, desires and self-control.