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…

Sri Lankan police summon assaulted Tamil journalist while suspect walks free

Mallavi police summoned Tamil journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan who was assaulted earlier this week for an inquiry but failed to arrest the assailant. 

On Friday, Thavaseelan went to Mallavi petrol station in Mullaitivu to report on the long fuel queues that had built up outside the petrol station where he was attacked by an unidentified man while Sri Lankan police officers reportedly looked on. 

‘Liar Professor Peiris’ - Families of disappeared burn effigy of Sri Lankan foreign minister

Families of the disappeared, civil society members and local Tamils held a protest in Jaffna on Sunday, decrying Sri Lankan foreign minister G L Peiris' remarks at the United Nations Human Rights Council and calling on the United Nations to not dismiss calls for international justice, as Sri Lanka deals with a worsening economic crisis. 

Army claims ‘drunken mob’ led to shooting - Eyewitness say otherwise


As Tamils who were injured after Sri Lankan soldiers fired shots in Mullaitivu last night continue to receive treatment, the army has claimed that a “drunk” mob was responsible for the “melee” and shrugged off responsibility for the violence.

Tamil journalist attacked by unidentified person in Mullaitivu

Tamil journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan was attacked by an unidentified man at Mallavi petrol station while reporting on a story on the fuel shortage on the island. 

Thavaseelan went to Mallavi petrol station in Mullaitivu on Friday, to report on the long queues that had built up outside the petrol station but was attacked by an unidentified man while Sri Lankan police officers reportedly looked on. Thavaseelan has filed a complaint at Mallavi police station. 

Sri Lankan army opens fire at Visvamadu petrol station

Sri Lankan soldiers have reportedly opened fire at a petrol station in Mullaitivu.

At least two Tamils are reported to have been injured at Visvamadu petrol station, after shots were fired.

Tamil school children the target of militarisation - students trained for badminton by army

As schools continue to be a focus of militarisation for the Sri Lankan state, the army further entrenched its occupation of the Tamil-inhabited North-East under the guise of a badminton training programme for young Tamil students. 

The badminton training programme was to “popularize the game of badminton among the youth in the Jaffna peninsula.” 

Sri Lanka is left with fuel stocks for five days as economic crisis worsens

Sri Lanka is left with fuel stocks for five days, as the country urgently awaits a new credit line from India for fuel. 

Sri Lanka is unable to make $725 million in overdue payments to suppliers and also struggling to open letters of credit for future shipments, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. The minister then went on to note that the country only has five days worth of petrol and diesel in stock and that supplies could run out faster if non-essential travel was not cut back on. 

Sri Lanka sends in army to farm 'unattended land'

The Sri Lankan army announced it was undertaking a “gigantic project of national and timely importance” by sending in soldiers to farm fruit and vegetables across the island, as a food crisis hits.

The military, which admits to already running at least 16 farms, will now take on an even greater role in the agricultural sector, said the army.

Sri Lanka announces two-week shutdown as fuel crisis worsens

The Sri Lankan government has announced a two-week shutdown, encouraging all public sector employees to work from home, as a fuel shortage amidst the island’s economic crisis has brought many forms of transport to a grinding halt.

A circular from the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry announced directive for all but the most essential workers.

Britain distances itself from mercenaries accused of war crimes in Sri Lanka

The British government has distanced itself from a private security company that is currently under police investigation over war crimes in Sri Lanka, claiming that it was “not party to the agreement” that the firm held with the Sri Lankan government.