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…

Remembering Annai Poopathy 34 years on

Image courtesy of @tamilnarratives 

Today marks 34 years since the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil woman who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

Gotabaya admits mistakes but refuses to resign

Speaking before his new cabinet members, Sri Lanka’s President was forced to admit that his ban on chemical fertilisers and refusal to turn to the International Monetary Fund were mistakes but refused to abdicate his position.

Sri Lankan court blocks remembrance events to commemorate Tamil hunger striker

A court in Sri Lanka has banned commemoration events that were planned to be held later this month to mark the death of Annai Poopathy, a Tamil woman who fasted unto death in protest against the atrocities committed by Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

The Tamil National People’s Front received notice from the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court  informing the party that all commemorative events that it planned on hosting were to be banned.

The notice cites coronavirus regulations as the reason for barring the remembrance events.

Abductions, murders and prostitution rings – The story of Douglas Devananda, who is still a Sri Lankan minister

As Sri Lanka’s embattled president looks to reshuffle his cabinet in a bid to quell ongoing anti-government protests, one position remains entirely unchanged from before the demonstrations began – the appointment of Douglas Devavanda as Sri Lanka’s fisheries minister.

A reshuffle in Sri Lanka’s cabinet as protests continue

Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a new cabinet of 17 members today in an attempt to quell ongoing anti-government protests, with some familiar figures back in power.

Though the new cabinet currently contains no-one from the Rajapaksa family, Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains president and his older brother Mahinda Rajapaksa remains prime minister.

And amongst the 17 new members, some notable posts remain empty such as the Minister of Justice.

The racists who joined Sri Lanka’s anti-government protest

As the anti-government protest continues at Sri Lanka’s Galle Face Green, a host of Sinhala celebrities, from cricketers to musicians and politicians have joined the demonstration.

However, social media users have quickly spotted a few familiar faces, from those who have previously been staunch supporters of the Rajapaksas, to racists and homophobes.

We look briefly at a few of them who have been seen at the Galle Face protest over the last week.

Protestors in Jaffna demand self-determination and Gotabaya to ‘Go Home’

Dozens of protestors in Jaffna gathered with placards denouncing the Sri Lankan government and red and yellow flags this evening, as they demanded justice for genocide, the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the right to self-determination.

This is what caused Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis'

The doctrine of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, which has been instrumental in the Sri Lankan nation-building project, is the driving force behind the current economic crisis, writes Madura Rasaratnam, an associate professor at the University of London, in The Indian Express this week.

Sri Lanka delegation head to US for IMF bailout discussion

Sri Lanka has sent a delegation to Washington DC to hold discussions with the IMF, as the country announced last week that they would default on debt repayments. 

A delegation including Finance Minister Ali Sabry, Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene left Sri Lanka this morning to participate in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The talks are scheduled to take place between April 19 to 24.

No shortages of drugs and surgical equipment' - Sri Lankan Department of Government Information

The Sri Lankan Department of Government Information has stated that "there are no shortages of drugs and surgical equipment", despite widespread reports of shortages across hospitals around the island.