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 Lanka in talks to acquire Indian military aircraft as island faces food, oil and medicine shortages

Sri Lanka is in talks with India to discuss a proposal to acquire two military aircraft for the Sri Lankan airforce, following a meeting last week between foreign minister G L Peiris and the Indian minister for external affairs, S Jaishankar.

Sri Lanka's gold reserves tumble as economic crisis worsens

Sri Lanka's gold reserves have fallen to USD $92 million from USD $175 million by the end of January, as the economic crisis worsens.

The call to boycott Chennai Super Kings – On popular culture and oppression in Tamil Nadu

In their book Dialectic of Enlightenment, Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer wrote about the role of popular culture in “seducing the masses into desiring their own domination”. The current situation in Tamil Nadu certainly has echoes of that.

No cash for oil - Sri Lanka’s fuel shortage worsens

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC),  Sri Lanka’s state run petroleum company, has run out of cash for oil as the island grapples with a fuel shortage. 

According to Minister of Energy, Udaya Gammapila, CPC suffered losses of up to 42 percent on the sale of diesel at government-mandated prices.

Repeal the PTA - Signature campaign continues in Jaffna

A signature campaign is underway demanding that the widely criticised Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is completely repealed. 

Signatures were collected in Nelliady over the last two days and at Jaffna Central bus stand earlier this week, calling on Sri Lanka to repeal the notorious legislation which has been used disproportionately against Tamils and Muslims. 

Combatting Tamil Genocide Denial and Distortion' - Tamil Canadian groups rally behind 'Tamil Genocide Education Week Act'

Tamil Canadian groups have released a statement calling on Ontarians "to rally behind" Bill 104, the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act, to "protect it" from its recent constitutional challenges. The groups called on the public to "stand together and collectively combat genocide denial and distortion."

Regional Autonomy and Genocide Prevention In the Tamil Homeland: Learning Lessons from the Kurds

Today we meet at a critical conjuncture when efforts are being made to water down the Tamils’ demand for political rights and a political solution to the toothless provincial council system created by the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution.

When we speak of a political solution, many of us fail to understand that it should be a means of preventing genocide.

Kurdish – Tamil Friendship Forum discusses regional autonomy and genocide prevention

The Kurdish – Tamil Friendship Forum held a virtual event last month to discuss lessons Eelam Tamils could take from the Kurdish experience on the topics of regional autonomy and genocide prevention.

‘Dream come true’ as new US Ambassador to Sri Lanka takes up posting

Julie Chung has taken up her posting as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka this week, describing it as a “dream come true” to return to the island.

“I first visited the island 10 years ago, and those memories are still vivid and fresh,” said Chung, in a video released to mark her taking up the post earlier today.

Buddhist monk bans cultivation of Tamil land in Mullaitivu  

A Buddhist monk, aided by Sri Lanka's Department of Archaeology, has banned the cultivation of water in the fields belonging to Tamils in the village of Kumalamunai, Kurunthurmalai in Mullaitivu. 

Although the Divisional Secretariat has confirmed that the 36 acres of land belongs to seven Tamil families, Sinhala Buddhist monk, Galgamuwa Chandabothi Nayaka Thera, has blocked the families from cultivating on their land.