Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing". Speaking at a media briefing held at the Mannar Urban Council on Friday, Vasanthan criticised the decision to arrest the…

Sri Lanka reiterates commitment to chemical weapons convention despite allegations of wartime use

Sri Lanka reaffirmed its dedication to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) at the 29th session of the Conference of State Parties (CSP-29) in The Hague last week, despite allegations of having used chemical weapons against Tamils during the 2009 Mullivaikkal genocide.

Sri Lanka undecided over Adani's project calls for tender for yet another Mannar power project

The Sri Lankan government has launched an investigation into local projects undertaken by India's Adani Group following bribery charges filed in the United States against its founder, Gautam Adani.

UK Foreign Secretary faces calls to fulfil pledge and refer Sri Lanka to the ICC

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy was questioned on upholding his previous commitments on accountability and referring Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week, as he faced questions from the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Labour MP Uma Kumaran questioned Lammy and pressed him on the lack of accountability for mass atrocities committed in Sri Lanka.

“Today marks an important day for Tamil people around the world,” began Kumaran, speaking on Maaveerar Naal, a day of remembrance for Eelam Tamils worldwide.

Sri Lanka arrests Tamil man under PTA for Facebook post

Sri Lanka has arrested a young Tamil father in Jaffna under draconian anti-terrorism laws, over a Facebook post. Manoharan Kajendroopan, from Inuvil West, Chunnakam, has been arrested under the much criticised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) reportedly detained Kajendroopan for uploading a photo of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Facebook. This arrest, which comes shortly after the commemoration of Maaveerar Naal, marks the first such detention under Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism framework following the annual remembrance event.

Lessons from 2015

Hopes placed on Sri Lanka's new government under Anura Kumara Dissanayake mirror the promises of the 2015 "Good Governance" regime. For Tamils and the international community, only tangible actions can ensure this administration does not repeat the same cycle of impunity.

ITAK's wake up call and Tamil aspirations - Interview with Shanakiyan Rasamanickam

Following his re-election as member of parliament for Batticaloa, the Tamil Guardian spoke to Shanakiyan Rasamanickam to discuss the path ahead for Tamil politics and the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), as well as accountability for genocide and a political solution for the Tamil people.

Tamils in Toronto mark Maaveerar Naal

 

Tamils in Toronto, Canada, held a commemoration event on November 27 to mark Maaveerar Naal. 

Tamils in Italy mark Maaveerar Naal

Tamils in Genoa, Italy joined the Tamil nation in marking Maaveerar Naal 2024. 

Candles were lit and flowers were laid by photographs of fallen Tamil fighters. 

Maaveerar remembered by Tamils in the Netherlands

Maaveerar Naal was commemorated in Lelystad, Netherlands on November 27. 

A lamp was lit before the national flag of Tamil Eelam and the Netherlands flag were both hoisted. The families of fallen cadres were then escorted into the hall with a musical procession. 

Defence Secretary visits Jaffna and defends occupation, as floods wreak havoc

Sri Lanka's defence secretary, accused war criminal Sampath Thuyacontha, visited Jaffna on Thursday, as he oversaw military relief efforts amidst floods that have devastated the island.