Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

Iconic London monument lit up for Tamil Heritage Month and Thai Pongal

 

Nelson's Column, the iconic monument in central London's popular Trafalgar Square, was lit up with a projection celebrating Thai Pongal and Tamil Heritage Month on Saturday.

The projections featured imagery symbolising Thai Pongal, the Tamil geometric art form of Kolam and the karthigaipoo - the national flower of Tamil Eelam.

Tirunelveli market is bustling ahead of Thai Pongal

Tirunelveli market in Jaffna was bustling today as Tamils prepare for Thai Pongal. 

Raangi - On the wrong track

Overall, the core concept of ‘Raangi’ could have made for an enthralling and morally conflicting drama. Instead, Saravanan botches the delivery and presents a sloppy shell of a great film.

UK Prime Minister thanks Tamils for their NHS service in Thai pongal message

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked the Tamil community for their service in the National Health Service (NHS) in a video message released this morning to mark Thai Pongal. 

British MPs celebrate Thai Pongal and renew calls for accountability

Marking the harvest festival Thai Pongal, British MPs have issued statements expressing gratitude for the contribution of British Tamils to the UK and renewing their commitment to justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.

UK Labour Party Leader raises concern over ‘persecution of Tamils’ in Pongal message

 

British leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer has raised concern over the continued persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka in his Thai Pongal message and stressed the need for accountability and justice.

Whilst celebrating the harvest festival, Starmer also stressed that now is a time “to remember the sacrifices made by the Tamil people for self-determination, peace, and justice in Sri Lanka”.

Sri Lankan government allocates Rs. 200 mn for Independence Day celebrations amidst economic crisis

The Secretary to the Ministry of Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local governments, Neel Bandaranaike Hapuhinna, confirmed that Rs. 200 million has been allocated for the 75th Independence Day celebration taking place on 4 February at the Galle Face in Colombo. 

Hapuhinna stated that "we have estimated the budget for the 75th Independence Day celebration to be at Rs. 200 million and the Treasury has already made the necessary budgetary allocations for this. However, we are trying our best to minimize and cut down on costs."

South Korean-funded tourism project in Trincomalee approved by Sri Lankan government

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a 614 million rupee community-based tourism development project in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Korean Toursim Organization and the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to implement the tourism project. 

Accountability is a ‘prerequisite towards building an inclusive society’ – US Representative stresses need for accountability in Sri Lanka

Responding to the announcement by the Canadian government on sanctions on former Sri Lankan Presidents Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, and other state officials, US Congressman Gregory Meeks has stressed the need for Sri Lanka to “take meaningful action on issues related to justice, accountability and reconciliation”.

On Twitter he stated:

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court orders former President to pay compensation to Easter Sunday attack victims

 

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ordered former President Maithiripala Sirisena and other Sri Lankan officials to pay Rs. 100 million into a compensation fund for the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and their families.