Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Displaced residents of the Valikamam North region of Jaffna held protests on Monday, in front of the Jaffna District Secretariat and near Palaly Junction, marking 36 years since their forced displacement and demanding the right to return and resettle in their lands. The people of Valikamam North were displaced from their homeland on 15 June 1990 by the Sri Lankan military. Thirty-six years on…

Ponniyin Selvan 1: A mighty triumph

‘PS1’ is a screen adaptation of the Kalki Krishnamurthy epic serialised from 1950 to 1954, following the rise of the golden age of the Chozha dynasty in the 10th century AD – touted as the greatest empire in Indian history. We witness the events unfold following a prophecy told once a comet appears in the sky. The Chozha rulers are warned of the spilling of Chozha blood, which sets off a plot of treachery, treason and double crossing. The film travels with Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyathevan, portrayed excellently by Karthi, a trusted friend of the heir to the throne, Vikram’s Aditha Karikalan, who assumes the role of a messenger. Vanthiyathevan is the glue holding together the multiple concurrent stories in ‘PS1’, and the casting decision for the part was crucial for the success of the film. Karthi breezes through this role, playing the part as if it had been written with him in mind.

Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran cast as lead for ‘Song of the Sun God’ adaptation

British Tamil actress Charithra Chandran, star of Netflix’s show Bridgerton and Amazon Prime’s show Alex Rider, has been announced as being cast in the lead role of a six-part adaptation of Australian Tamil author Shankari Chandran’s novel ‘Song of the Sun God.’ 

Naane Varuvean: Selvaraghavan’s (strangely) tamest Tamil feature

Less than a month after watching a film about an immoral set of twins in ‘Cobra’, Selvaraghavan’s ‘Naane Varuvean’ is released. Thankfully, this film is much better. 

US Congress members demand State Department use sanctions on Sri Lanka

A bipartisan letter to the US Secretary of State called on Washington to “use all diplomatic tools available, including sanctions,” to ensure that perpetrators of war crimes in Sri Lanka are held to account.

Vavuniya students suffering as buses refuse to take them to school

Tamil school students in Vavuniya staged a protest demanding local buses stop and pick them up to and from school this week, as the troubled public transport system is impacting on their education.

A protest was carried out in Kollar Puliankulam area, along the main A9 road at 7 am.

‘Protect our youth from drug addiction!’

Following a spate of reported drug-related deaths in Jaffna, staff at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital held a rally through the town on Thursday, demanding action be taken to prevent substance abuse and addiction.

As many as 10-drug related deaths are reported to have occurred in Jaffna within the span of the last three months.

Sri Lanka’s prime minister heaps praise on China

Sri Lanka’s prime minister was gushing with praise for China this week, calling the state a “true decisive global leader” and Sri Lanka’s “Kalyana Mitra” - a Buddhist concept meaning a special friend in times of happiness as well sorrow.

Dinesh Gunawardena, Sri Lanka’s former foreign secretary, made the comments during remarks at the 73rd Chinese National Day Anniversary Celebrations organized by China-Sri Lanka Friendship Associations at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel on Wednesday.

Vaiko reiterates call for referendum on Tamil Eelam

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko urged the Indian government to change its foreign policy towards Sri Lanka and called for support on a referendum to establish an independent Tamil Eelam.

Speaking at an event to mark the 114th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai earlier this month, Vaiko said that India must ensure the Sri Lankan army is moved out of the traditional Tamil homeland in the North-East.

He also called for an internationally monitored referendum on the formation of an independent Tamil Eelam state.

This is me telling you I am Tamil' - Eelam Tamil musician Pritt on music and identity

At a recent gig in London, ‘Cinnamon and Spice’, Pritt, an Eelam Tamil singer, performed alongside four female South Asian artists. Aligning with Pritt’s passions, the event aimed to celebrate underrepresented South Asian female talent and create a platform to share their music. As a part of BBC Asian Network Future Sounds in 2021, Pritt uses her platform to celebrate Tamil music and encourage artists in the UK and worldwide, particularly supporting underrepresented musicians.

‘Sri Lanka must be referred to the ICC’ – CV Wigneswaran speaks with Tamil Guardian

Amidst the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council session, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootan (TMTK), CV Wigneswaran, spoke with Tamil Guardian on issues of devolution, the 13th amendment, the weaknesses of the UNHRC resolution, and the need for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court.