'Address root causes of conflict in Sri Lanka and ensure accountability' - UN High Commissioner

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that it is only through addressing the “root causes” of the conflict and ensuring accountability for rights abuses, that Sri Lanka will see “genuine reconciliation and sustainable peace and development”. In his oral update at the 55th session yesterday, Türk said sustainable peace and reconciliation will not be achieved in Sri Lanka "with regressive laws and authoritarian approaches". "It is only through addressing the root causes of the country’s conflict and economic crisis, and ensuring accountability, that Sri Lanka...

Sri Lanka Army summoned over non-disclosure of LTTE surrenders - where are they, court questions

In a historic court case, the Appeal Court of Sri Lanka issued a notice to the Sri Lankan army to appear before the judge on March 28th for intentionally concealing information on the number and names of the LTTE cadres who surrendered during the final phase of the war. The case was prompted by a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by a former journalist in 2019. The Sri Lankan army despite having the information detailing the figures, the names, the gender, and to whom these surrenders were handed over or where they were sent, has maintained silence over the details. Tamil families of the disappeared have repeatedly demanded the release of these details during their years-long protests.

Sri Lanka fires tear gas and water cannons at Tamils, as protests erupt across homeland

Sri Lankan security forces shot tear gas and fired water cannons at Tamil students as they marched on Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day this morning, with Tamils across the North-East launching demonstrations to mark it as a ‘Black Day’.

Black flags across the Tamil homeland as Sri Lanka celebrates 76th Independence Day

Tamils are protesting across the North-East today on Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day as Tamils continue to lack basic rights in their homeland. For decades, the day has been marked as a 'Black Day' by Eelam Tamils, who see it as a reminder of Sri Lankan state oppression.

'We are tiger cubs!' - Vijay's support for the Tamil Eelam cause

With Tamil Nadu actor Vijay announcing the formation of a new political party in Tamil Nadu, we look back at his history of support for the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle.

Pongalo Pongal! Tamils in the North-East celebrate Thai Pongal

Thai Pongal, the secular Tamil festival that gives thanks to the sun and for the harvest, is being celebrated across the North-East today.

Meeting a torturer - Canadian police chief’s controversial Sri Lankan visit

A senior Canadian police chief sparked controversy with a visit to Sri Lanka last month, where he discussed “cooperation” with its notorious police force and visited the office of a senior official who the Supreme Court found had personally participated in torture.

‘A betrayal beyond belief’ - Tamil Canadians vent their fury at CTC after meeting with Rajapaksa

For years the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) called for an international accountability mechanism for mass atrocities and for sanctions to be placed on Sri Lanka. Yet, last week, they met and posed for photographs with the man who bears chief responsibility for those very massacres. Tamil Canadians across the political spectrum, and the country, are furious.

Landmark US resolution calls for removal of Sri Lankan war criminals

A landmark resolution has been brought by a group of US senators and representatives from across both parties this week, urging Sri Lanka to demilitarise the North-East, repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, halt land grabs and remove war criminals from positions of authority.

Marking 40 Years of the Tamil Diaspora in Switzerland

An event commemorating the 40-year-old history of the Tamil diaspora in Switzerland took place in Bern last week, marking their journey to the country, as well as the growth and challenges they faced since arrival. The first Tamil refugees arrived in Switzerland 40 years ago, escaping the horrors of the anti-Tamil Black July pogroms and the escalation of armed conflict in Sri Lanka. With an estimated 60,000 members, Eelam Tamils are one of the largest diaspora groups in Switzerland today.

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