Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A New Year celebration titled the ‘Tamil-Sinhala New Year,’ organised by the Umanthava Buddhist Village and the Sri Sathagam Ashram group, was held in Neduntheevu on Monday, raising concerns over the growing Sinhala-Buddhist presence and cultural encroachment in the Tamil homeland. The event took place at Maviddapuram Roman Catholic School in Neduntheevu (Delft Island), with around 350 Tamil…

Sanctioned Sri Lankan war criminal slams Starmer for UK sanctions

Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander and Admiral of the Fleet, Wasantha Karannagoda, has lashed out at the United Kingdom and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following the decision to impose sanctions on him and two other senior military officials over their involvement in human rights violations. 

‘I know what happened’ says Sirisena, as he backs sanctioned war criminals

Former Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena, has denounced the UK’s recent imposition of sanctions on three Sri Lankan military officials for war crimes, describing it as “unfair” treatment of Sri Lanka’s “war heroes”.

Ashnaa Unplugged - Interview with Ashnaa Sasikaran

In between her two shows 'Ashnaa Unplugged' at Theatreship in Canary Wharf, rising singer/songwriter Ashnaa Sasikaran spoke with Tamil Guardian about her past, current and future projects. 

Gun violence surges in South with 22 killed in 82 days

Since January, Sri Lanka has witnessed multiple violent killings, with 27 reported shootings over the span of just 82 days, leaving at least 22 people dead, according to Sri Lankan police.

‘Beheaded and forced to drink blood’ – Shocking allegations of torture by Shavendra Silva


Sri Lankan human rights activist and chairman of Families of the Disappeared, Brito Fernando, shared harrowing allegations of torture and abuse committed by retired Sri Lankan army commander and accused war criminal Major General Shavendra Silva during his tenure at the Matale Vijaya torture camp.

Mother of disappeared Tamil youth submits appeal after spotting son in photograph

Activist Balendran Jeyakumary submitted a formal letter to the Public Relations Division of the Presidential Secretariat, urgently requesting information on the disappearance of her son, Balendran Mahinthan, who was forcibly disappeared in December 2008.

Tensions erupt in Ammathanaveli after youth found dead following police chase

A young man's death following a police chase in Ammathanaveli has sparked public protests and allegations of police brutality

Mahinda Rajapaksa demands government ‘defend’ accused war criminals

Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa has slammed the United Kingdom's announcement of sanctions against senior Sri Lankan military commanders, rejected allegations of war crimes and called on the current government in Colombo to “stand by and defend former armed forces personnel who face persecution by foreign government”.

Sri Lanka condemns UK sanctions as ‘unilateral’ and ‘unhelpful’

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement criticising the United Kingdom’s recent decision to impose sanctions on four individuals, including three former Sri Lankan military commanders, for war crimes.

Hierarchies of Solidarity: A conversation between Sinthujan Varatharajah and Hebh Jamal

In a wide-ranging and reflective online discussion, Eelam Tamil writer and researcher Sinthujan Varatharajah joined Palestinian journalist Hebh Jamal to explore the politics of international solidarity, hierarchies of attention, and the contradictions faced by oppressed peoples organising for liberation. 

The event, titled “Hierarchies of Solidarity”, drew on themes from the book co-authored by Varatharajah and Moshtari Hilal.