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…

Rajapaksa calls Putin to discuss Russian fuel for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s war crimes accused president reportedly spoke over the phone to Russia’s war crimes accused president this week, as the two reportedly discussed how Moscow could send fuel to Colombo.

Gotabaya and Ranil thank Biden as US Ambassador tweets a reminder

Sri Lanka’s war crimes accused president and newly appointed prime minister both sent messages of thanks to the United States this week, after US President Joe Biden announced US$20 million in aid to reportedly feed over 800,000 children.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who faces a wave of anti-government protests in the Sinhala south met with US Ambassador Julie Chung and tweeted he had “conveyed my sincere thanks” to Biden.

British Shadow Minister calls for justice and Tamil self-determination

British Shadow Minister for Transport Sam Tarry has reiterated his support for the self-determination of Tamils and justice for the atrocities they faced, as part of his campaign for reselection as MP for Ilford South in London.

Sri Lankan Special Task Force troop shoots himself dead

A Sri Lankan sub inspector attached to the war crimes accused Special Task Force (STF) reportedly shot himself dead yesterday, the second such incident of a member of the security forces committing suicide in the last month alone.

The incident reportedly took place in Kadawatha, located in the Sinhala south.

Earlier in June, a Sri Lankan police officer attached to the Tangalle police station also reportedly committed suicide after shooting himself.

Another U-turn for desperate Sri Lanka as it lifts terrorism ban on Qatar charity

The Sri Lankan government will reportedly lift a ban on a charity that it accused of terrorism and suspended the bank accounts of, as part of an attempt to mend relations with Qatar in a desperate attempt to seek a steady supply of fuel.

16-year-old girl abducted from Jaffna and raped

At least two men have been arrested over the rape of a 16-year-old Tamil girl who was abducted from Jaffna and later found in Kilinochchi last week.

The two are reportedly from the Jaffna region, and were arrested after relatives of the victim to the Northern Province Governor's Office and the Sri Lankan police in Jaffna, stating that proper investigations had yet to be carried out.

The girl was abducted from Jaffna last Friday and only found in Kilinochchi by Sri Lankan police on Monday. She was admitted to a hospital in Kilinochchi with several injuries and told staff that she had been raped.

IMF-Sri Lanka discussions ends without bailout

After ten days of discussion, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its visit of Sri Lanka, vowing to continue discussions with the island but refusing to commit to a $3 billion dollar bailout.

Thousands expected to attend FeTNA in New York

Thousands of people from around the world are expected to attend the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA) summit in New York this week, as it meets for a 35th year.

FeTNA is an umbrella organization of over sixty different member Tamil Sangams from across North America, which has been meeting annual since its inception in 1987.

The 35th annual summit will take place in New York on July 1-4, 2022.

Sri Lankan president sits down with Russian envoy

Sri Lanka’s president and accused war criminal Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with Russia’s Ambassador to Colombo Yury Materiy, as he sought closer ties with Moscow this week.

“President Rajapaksa and Russian Ambassador Yury Materiy discussed a number of important economic areas, including generating more demand for Ceylon Tea in Russia, tourism industry, fuel, coal, gas, aviation, education, trade and fertilizer,” said a Sri Lankan statement.

Elderly Tamil woman raped and killed in Jaffna

An elderly Tamil who was living alone at her Jaffna home was reportedly brutally raped and murdered last week.

The woman, who authorities have identified as 78-year-old Sana Thavamani, lived alone in Kankesanthurai.

She was found dead last Friday. An autopsy was carried out at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital which stated she had been murdered after being raped.

Investigations are reportedly still ongoing.