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…

Pre-school holds vigil for Zion church victims

The victims of the Easter Sunday bombings at the Zion church in Batticaloa were remembered last week by a local pre-school. 

Sri Lankan president denies knowing of bombings in advance

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena was forced to deny that he knew of the Easter Sunday bombings beforehand amid increasing scrutiny over why the country failed to prevent the attacks despite repeated warnings from other states. 

In a statement, the president's media division, said that the Defence Secretary nor the Inspector General of Police had informed him of warnings issued by India ahead of the attack. 

Over 250 people were killed when Islamist extremist suicide bombers supportive of Islamic State detonated devices at luxury hotels and churches on Easter Sunday. 

Reflections from Mullivaikkal: Memories live on

As part of a series marking the atrocities of Mullivaikkal, we invited activists, journalists, and writers from around the world to share their experiences and reflections a decade on.

Tamil politicians object to Sinhalese housing scheme in Kokkilai

Tamil politicians have objected to the approval of a housing scheme for Sinhalese settlers in Mullaitivu on what several have said is Tamil-owned land. The original owners of lands around the Kokkilai Lagoon were evicted by the Sri Lankan army and most are too scared to come forward due to the hostilities in the area between Sinhalese and local Tamils, one politician said.

2009 Vanni based Air Commodore appointed as new Commander

Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena today appointed the Air Commodore responsible for operations in Kilinocchi during the end of the armed conflict in 2009 as the country's new Air Force Commander. 

Released BBS leader pledges to 'expose Islamist militancy'

The leader of the extremist Buddhist monk group Bodu Bala Sena, who was recently released from prison following a presidential pardon pledged to expose Islamist militancy in his first press conference since being freed. 

Finance Ministry's Media Director arrested over ammunition

The media director of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Ali Hassan, was arrested today accused of being in possession of ammunition. 

Sri Lankan police reported 93 rounds of 12-bore gun ammunition were found in his possesion. 

Hassan was arrested at his home in Malwana, and the area was searched by the military and police. 

The arrest of a government official follows that of a Muslim Hansard officer last week, who was accused of helping one of the suicide bombers responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks. 

Archaeology Dept dumping temple ruins in well say Trinco residents

Sri Lanka's Department of Archaeology is dumping the ruins of an ancient Pillaiyar temple situated near the seven hot springs in Kanniya into a well, and building a Buddha statue in its place, residents in Trincomalee told the Tamil Guardian. 

Mullaitivu farm worker injured by explosive

A farm worker in Mullaitivu was injured yesterday when an explosive detonated in Neththaliyaru, Visvamadu West. 

Ranil establishes 'Palmyra Fund' for North-East

Sri Lanka's prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday announced the establishing of the 'Palmyrah Fund' to develop the North-East.