Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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A Guinness World Record set by nearly 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers at Galle Face in Colombo has sparked controversy, after activists questioned why the official recognition was awarded to organisers and an overseas instructor rather than the thousands of performers who paid to take part. The SANGAMAM-2026 event, held on 14 June, saw 4,988 dancers successfully set a new Guinness World Record for…

Injured Batticaloa bombing victim dies

A Tamil man has died from the injuries he sustained in the Easter Sunday bombings, 45 days after the attack took place.

The victim, 30-year-old S Arunprasath of Iruthayapuram, Batticaloa, was admitted to the district’s Teaching Hospital for his injuries from the bombing at the Zion church on April 21.

He was transferred to Kandy by helicopter on April 22.

Arunprasath died on June 4, bringing the Batticaloa death toll to 30.

Buddhist monk leads protest against Mullaitivu Hindu temple

A Buddhist monk led Sinhala protesters at a demonstration today by the Neeraviyadi Pillaiyar temple, calling on the Sri Lankan president to intervene on the long-running dispute. 

Sivakumaran remembered in Urumpirai

Ponnuthurai Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle was remembered today in his hometown of Urumpirai, Jaffna. 

Countries express concern over demonising Muslims

<p>The United States yesterday expressed concern over what it described as the demonising of Muslims, following the mass resignation of Muslim ministers from the front benches.&nbsp;</p> <p>In a tweet the US House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote: "The demonizing of Muslims by certain religious and political forces in Sri Lanka is a concerning development for the country. Leaders in the country need to calm communal tensions and ensure safety for people of all faiths in the country."</p> <p>The German embassy in Colombo also tweeted on the subject highlighting the importance of freedom of religion and mutual tolerance.&nbsp;</p>

Resurgence in attacks against Tamil journalists says Reporters Without Borders

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned this week of a resurgence in attacks against Tamil journalists by Sri Lanka's security forces. 

Highlighting recent cases of attacks against journalists, including two Tamil Guardian correspondents, RSF called on the Sri Lankan authorities to punish those responsible for the acts of violence and to stop police intimidation and harassment of Tamil journalists. 

Vavuniya families of disappeared protest outside ITAK office

Families of the disappeared in Vavuniya held a protest on Saturday outside the office of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) in Jaffna, demanding action over enforced disappearances. 

Australia - uptick in asylum seekers by boat over past month

The Australian government expressed concern over an increase in the number of people fleeing Sri Lanka by boat towards the country in the past month, following a previous lull. 

Burning of Jaffna Library remembered 38 years on

Local residents and politicians gathered in Jaffna on Saturday to remember the burning of the library by Sri Lanka's security forces and state-sponsored mobs 38 years on. 

Muslim ministers resign as pressure mounts from Buddhist clergy

Muslim government officials, including all ministers and two governors, resigned yesterday from their posts following mounting pressure from senior Buddhist clergy and politicians.

SL business chamber tells govt to maintain law and order

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce urged the Sri Lankan government to maintain law and order, expressing concern about the rising ethnic tensions in the island. 

In a letter to the Secretary of Defence, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said, "As the highest ranking official vested with responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, we expect you will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to maintain peace, law and order and prevent the occurrence of unlawful and disruptive activities that will disturb the peace of the communities."