Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A fisherman in Keppapulavu, Mullaitivu, was assaulted during a visit by Sri Lanka’s Fisheries Minister, Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, as tensions flared during the Minister’s local government election campaign on 24 April. Chandrasekaran, who was touring the North-East with National People’s Power (NPP) candidates, visited Keppapulavu where he met with representatives of the Keppapulavu Fishermen…

Tamil asylum seekers in Diego Garcia excluded from new transfer agreement

Tamil asylum seekers stranded on Diego Garcia have been excluded from a new agreement between the UK and St Helena governments to transfer asylum seekers arriving at the Chagos Islands to St Helena.

Protests over illegally constructed Buddhist temple continue in Thaiyiddy

Tamils protested outside the Tissa Raja Vihara, a Buddhist temple which was illegally constructed and encroaches on the lands owned by local residents in Thaiyiddy, Jaffna. 

Every Poya (full moon) day, Tamils gather at the site to protest the Buddhist temple which was illegally constructed on land that is occupied by the Sri Lankan army. 

Ariyanenthiran and supporters summoned by Sri Lanka's TID

P. Ariyanenthiran, who contested Sri Lanka's recent presidential elections as the Tamil 'common candidate' has been summoned by Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), alongside supporters of his campaign, for interrogation by the authorities.

Jaffna Tamil powerlifter breaks national records and grabs medals at Commonwealth championship

Jaffna’s own 29-year-old Satkunarasa Pushanthan achieved an outstanding feat at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championship 2024, winning an overall silver medal at the international competition. Pushanthan had a total lift of 827.5 kg, smashing three national records to solidify his place as one of the island's top powerlifters.

Former LTTE combatants make their parliamentary bid

Karunanidhi Yasodini, a former LTTE combatant, officially launched her campaign in Mannar as a candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka. Representing the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) in the Vavuniya electoral district, Yasodini is contesting under the conch symbol and has garnered significant support from fellow former combatants.

Mullaitivu Press Club calls for international 'judicially empowered probe' into killings and disappearances of journalists

Mullaitivu Press Club has called for a 'judicially empowered probe' with the participation of international media watchdogs and legal experts to investigate the killings and disappearances of journalists in Sri Lanka. 

In a statement marking the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Tamil journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, the press club highlighted the continued harassment, intimidation, and surveillance faced by journalists, particularly Tamil journalists, on the island.

'I was treated like a murderer' - Sri Lankan police arrest Tamil journalist after exposing government corruption

S. Nilanthan, a Batticaloa-based Tamil journalist, was arrested for his reporting on alleged corruption involving a local Sri Lankan government official in 2020 earlier today.

Nilanthan, who is also a correspondent for the Tamil Guardian, was later released on bail by the Eravur Magistrate but has been ordered to appear in court at the next hearing.

Tamil Students denied transport on A9 key Sri Lankan road network

Despite the steady flow of buses along the A9 highway, a critical artery connecting the North-East of Sri Lanka with the rest of the country, Tamil schoolchildren from several villages are being denied rides by both private and government-run buses. Frustrated by what they say is systemic racism and neglect, families and parents have in the past taken to blocking the road in protest, accusing the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners of discriminatory practices.

Eelam Tamils demand new Governor help to release military occupied land

Eelam Tamil residents and activists staged a protest outside the Northern Province Governor's office in Jaffna this week, demanding the return of land that remains occupied by the Sri Lankan military.

Sri Lankan police target yet another Tamil mother of the disappeared

In yet another incident highlighting the Sri Lankan state’s ongoing harassment of Tamil activists, Manuel Uthayachandra, the President of the Mannar District Families of the Disappeared organization, faced an attempt by Sri Lankan police to arrest her while she was away from her home.

The Sri Lankan police arrived at her residence in Mannar and informed her family that she was to be arrested and should immediately report to the police station. At the time, Uthayachandra was in Colombo receiving medical treatment.