Home

UK sanctions Sri Lankan war criminals
The United Kingdom has announced sanctions against four individuals implicated in “serious human rights violations”, in a move it says is aimed at promoting accountability and challenging the culture of impunity that continues to shield perpetrators.

Tamil Affairs

Tamil Affairs
Sri Lankan politicians blame Tamil diaspora for sanctions against war criminals
Tamil Affairs
Sri Lanka's military continues its presence in civilian life in Tamil homeland
Tamil Affairs
Sri Lanka's budget with increased military spending is voted through
Tamil Affairs
Ranil cites apparent World War II heroics to justify evasion of international accountability

Latest Headlines

'There is still work to do' - PEARL reacts to UK sanctions on Sri Lankan war criminals
  The People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) welcomed the UK government's decision to sanction Sri Lankan war criminals but called on the international community to do more to advance accountability for Sri Lanka’s war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide against the Tamil nation.  Yesterday, the UK government sanctioned senior figures from both the Sri Lankan military and a government-affiliated paramilitary group, including individuals linked to extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual violence. In a statement, PEARL said that the "sanctions are a step towards weakening impunity for Sri Lanka’s crimes against Tamils" but noted that "there is still work to do". 
Sri Lanka's military continues its presence in civilian life in Tamil homeland
Sri Lanka continues with its militarisation of the Tamil homeland, from the army running inter-school dance competitions, to the navy transporting pilgrims to shrines. Infrastructure and Education Infiltration On 28 February 2025, troops from the 10th Battalion of Sri Lanka Artillery conducted a cleaning and painting initiative at St. Joseph College in Mathagal under the "Clean Sri Lanka" project. This programme, presented as benevolent, spanned 380 schools between 20 February and 7 March 2025, involving over 12,500 troops. Renovations at Sri Vigneswaram College in Poonaryn and Mungilaru Primary School in Udayarkattu were carried out under military supervision, further highlighting the infiltration into civilian spaces.  
Sri Lanka's budget with increased military spending is voted through
The third reading of Sri Lanka's 2025 budget was passed last Friday in the country's parliament with a majority of 114 votes.  While the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation saw the largest budget increase compared to 2024, the overall sectoral allocations revealed a troubling trend as social welfare funding faces severe cuts for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, another striking feature is the rise in defence spending. Although there has not been an armed conflict on the island in the last 15 years and repeated claims by successive Sri Lankan governments or national unity, such a hefty military budget appears unjustifiable — particularly when essential sectors like social welfare and health are facing cuts.
Ranil cites apparent World War II heroics to justify evasion of international accountability
Former Sri Lankan president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, reiterated in a recent interview his opposition to Sri Lanka being taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), reported the Jaffna daily Maalaikathir last Friday. He accused Western nations of double standards and criticised the UN, asserting that without Sri Lanka’s contributions to World War II the modern human rights framework would not exist. Wickremesinghe emphasised his consistent opposition to Sri Lanka being referred to the ICJ, instead, he endorsed justice for Tamil victims through domestic mechanisms. Having failed to fully implement the 13th Amendment during his presidency, he called for greater power and responsibility to be given to Provincial Councils. He insisted that perpetrators, regardless of who they are, should be held accountable and that previous promises to the UN should be fulfilled.
Huge protests erupt as Turkey jails President Erdogan's main rival
Nationwide protests erupted as the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had his biggest political rival arrested last Wednesday and jailed today on counts of corruption and links to terrorism. Even with a longstanding reputation for imprisoning previous political rivals from Kurdish opposition leader Selahattin Demirtaş to the leader of the ultranationalist Victory Party, Ümit Özdağ, the arrest of Istanbul mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, came as a particular novelty. Erdoğan has never before unapologetically targeted a mainstream opposition party whose history arcs back to the very founding of the modern Turkish republic. 
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister calls on southern states to unite against 'unfair electoral rules'
Another tourist dies at Sigiriya as calls grow for first aid facilities
A foreign tourist has died at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, sparking renewed outrage over the lack of emergency medical services at one of Sri Lanka’s most famous tourist attractions.
Buddha statues being used for land grabs in the North, warns Tamil MP
MP Ravikaran has alleged in Parliament that Buddha statues are being used as boundary markers for land grabs in the northern province, undermining religious harmony
‘A painful reminder of past atrocities’ - Jaffna University teachers condemn sexual violence
The University of Jaffna Teachers’ Association (JUTA) has strongly condemned the recent sexual assault of a female doctor in Anuradhapura, stating that the crime is part of a broader pattern of sexual violence on the island.
What is the NEP controversy? Explaining Tamil Nadu's resistance to Hindi imposition
  A heated battle is unfolding between Tamil Nadu and India’s central government over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a sweeping reform introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration.  Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has led the opposition, labelling the policy a “Hindutva policy” that prioritises Hindi and Sanskrit over regional languages and threatens Tamil Nadu’s progressive education system.

Selective justice is not justice

No more evasion

Sri Lanka’s underworld rises to the surface

FEATURES
What is the NEP controversy? Explaining Tamil Nadu's resistance to Hindi imposition
Who is Pan Yue? China’s ‘Ethnic Affairs’ Minister and his visit to Sri Lanka
Marco Rubio: The US Secretary of State and Sri Lanka

Tamil News

'There is still work to do' - PEARL reacts to UK sanctions on Sri Lankan war criminals

Mar 25

 

The People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) welcomed the UK government's decision to sanction Sri Lankan war criminals but called on the international community to do more to advance accountability for Sri Lanka’s war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide against the Tamil nation. 

Sri Lankan politicians blame Tamil diaspora for sanctions against war criminals

Sri Lanka's military continues its presence in civilian life in Tamil homeland

Sri Lanka continues with its militarisation of the Tamil homeland, from the army running inter-school dance competitions, to the navy transporting pilgrims to shrines.

Infrastructure and Education Infiltration

Sri Lanka's budget with increased military spending is voted through

The third reading of Sri Lanka's 2025 budget was passed last Friday in the country's parliament with a majority of 114 votes. 

Ranil cites apparent World War II heroics to justify evasion of international accountability

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister calls on southern states to unite against 'unfair electoral rules'

Another tourist dies at Sigiriya as calls grow for first aid facilities
A foreign tourist has died at the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, sparking renewed outrage over the lack of emergency medical services at one of Sri Lanka’s most famous tourist attractions.
Buddha statues being used for land grabs in the North, warns Tamil MP
MP Ravikaran has alleged in Parliament that Buddha statues are being used as boundary markers for land grabs in the northern province, undermining religious harmony
‘A painful reminder of past atrocities’ - Jaffna University teachers condemn sexual violence
The University of Jaffna Teachers’ Association (JUTA) has strongly condemned the recent sexual assault of a female doctor in Anuradhapura, stating that the crime is part of a broader pattern of sexual violence on the island.
What is the NEP controversy? Explaining Tamil Nadu's resistance to Hindi imposition

 

A heated battle is unfolding between Tamil Nadu and India’s central government over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a sweeping reform introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. 

Muralitharan withdraws controversial investment in Jammu and Kashmir

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has withdrawn from a Rs 1,650 crore investment project in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua, amid controversy surrounding the supposedly “free” allocation of land to his company.

Duterte is at The Hague – Could the Rajapaksas be next?
As Duterte has learned, the law moves slowly - until it doesn’t. Could the Rajapaksas be next?
French warship Provence makes four-day port call in Colombo
French warship Provence has arrived in Colombo for a four-day visit to strengthen maritime ties with Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan court imposes travel ban on former state minister
The Mahara Magistrate’s Court has imposed an overseas travel ban on former State Minister Prasanna Ranaweera, alongside former Kelaniya PS member Milroy Perera and former Minister Mervyn Silva’s Parliamentary Secretary, Sarath Kumara Edirisinghe, in connection with an alleged illegal state land sale.
Sri Lanka reiterates rejection of international justice for war crimes

No police or land powers to provincial councils - NPP affirms 72 hours before polls | Tamil Guardian

Who is Pan Yue? China’s ‘Ethnic Affairs’ Minister and his visit to Sri Lanka

China’s Minister of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, Pan Yue, led a high-profile delegation to Colombo last month, where he discussed ‘ethnic harmony’ and ‘reconciliation efforts’ with Sri Lankan officials.

Wickremesinghe’s £1,000-a-day butler: Extravagant £40,000 trip to London revealed

The Sri Lankan government has revealed that former president Ranil Wickremesinghe hired a butler for a trip to the United Kingdom, paying an astonishing £1,000 per day, for which he tried to claim expenses through the High Commission in London.

US Ambassador Chung praises Donald Trump’s vision

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding economic ties with Sri Lanka, as US Ambassador Julie Chung championed Donald Trump’s trade policies in a speech at the Rotary Club Joint Meeting on March 12. 

Selective justice is not justice
The true test of the NPP government’s commitment to justice will not be Batalanda. Instead, it will be whether it extends its accountability efforts beyond select cases to the full breadth of state-perpetrated crimes - particularly those committed against Tamils.
Sri Lankan navy detains 14 Indian fishermen amid ongoing tensions
The Sri Lankan Navy has detained 14 Indian fishermen for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters and engaging in fishing activities, in the latest escalation of the longstanding maritime tensions across the Palk Strait.

World News

Huge protests erupt as Turkey jails President Erdogan's main rival

Mar 22

Nationwide protests erupted as the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had his biggest political rival arrested last Wednesday and jailed today on counts of corruption and links to terrorism.

M23 rebels capture Walikale in eastern DRC

M23 forces standing beside house

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured the strategic mining hub of Walikale in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

M23 rebels entered Walikale on Wednesday. Spokesperson for the Congolese army, Nestor Mavudisa, confirmed on Thursday that “the enemy” now controlled Walikale. 

At least 7 dead after boat carrying refugees capsizes off Cyprus’ coast

Boat carrying refugees

Authorities in Cyprus have reported that they have retrieved at least 7 bodies after a boat carrying refugees capsized 30 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco. 

Two people were rescued on Monday, there is still an unspecified number of people believed to be missing. 

Balochistan train hijack ends in bloodshed as Pakistani forces storm separatist fighters

The train hijacked by the Baloch rebels. Photo courtesy: Swarajya Mag

Children among 32 killed following US airstrikes in Yemen
US fighter jets have carried out a series of air raids across Yemen, killing at least 32.
Israel informed US ahead of latest deadly attacks on Gaza

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu sit beside each other with Israel and US flags in background

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Monday that the Israeli government had informed the Trump administration prior to launching massive air raids on the Gaza Strip overnight. 

Rwanda severs diplomatic ties with Belgium

PK

Rwanda says it has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all of their country’s diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, drawing a swift response from Brussels.

Netanyahu lashes out at UN after experts find 'genocidal acts' in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out against a United Nations report accusing Israel of committing "genocidal acts" against Palestinians, calling the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) an "antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting and irrelevant body."

US explores Somaliland recognition in exchange for military base
The United States is reportedly considering partial recognition of Somaliland in exchange for permission to establish a naval base near Berbera port, according to a report by the Financial Times.
International endorsement for Syria-SDF deal
The recent agreement between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian central government has received international backing, after it was agreed the alliance would integrate all military and civilian institutions into the Syrian state.
Bosnian prosecutors order arrest of three top Bosnian Serb officials

Dodik speaking in front of multiple news microphones

On Wednesday, Bosnian state prosecutors ordered the arrest of Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik and two of his aides for what it has called an attack on the constitutional order. 

Duterte arrested and flown to The Hague as Marcos shifts stance on ICC
Former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested and flown to The Hague, where he will face charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his brutal “war on drugs”. 
China says it is ready in "tariff war, trade war, or any other war" with US

US flag and Chinese Flag beside each other

China has warned that it is ready to “fight to the end” with the US in a “tariff war, trade war, or any other war” in response to President Donald Trump’s mounting trade tariffs. 

Thailand Deports Dozens of Uighurs to China
Thailand deported 40 Uighur asylum seekers back to China last week, drawing a sharp rebuke from U.N. officials and activists who had long warned that the men would possibly face torture and long-term imprisonment upon their return.
Israel launches air attacks near Syria’s Tartous
Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December.
Kurdish group PKK declares ceasefire with Turkey in response to its leader's call
The Kurdish armed group the PKK has declared a ceasefire following calls from its imprisoned leader and founder, Abdullah Öcalan last month.
Mauritian PM urged to demand closure of military base in Diego Garcia
Mauritian politicians have called on the country’s prime minister to demand the closure of the military base in Diego Garcia.
Cambodia tightens grip on those denying Khmer Rouge genocide
Cambodian lawmakers have unanimously approved a new bill that strengthens penalties for denying the atrocities committed under the Khmer Rouge regime. The legislation, passed last month, aims to reinforce the historical record of the genocide and provide justice for its victims. 
Scottish independence campaigners to take case to UN
Independence campaigners Salvo and its sister organisation Liberation Scotland have paired up with Geneva-based group Justice Pour Tous Internationale (Justice for All International) to present a petition to the UN’s special committee on decolonisation.
Increased fighting forces MSF to stop operations in Zamzam camp in North Darfur

MSF Logo with images of workers and civilians in background
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said it is suspending its work in Zamzam camp for displaced people near El Fasher in North Darfur, Sudan due to escalating violence in a statement released on Monday.

OPINION
Duterte is at The Hague – Could the Rajapaksas be next?
Ranil Wickremesinghe is Sri Lanka
Obituary - Somasundaram 'Mavai' Senathirajah
CULTURE & COMMUNITY
Nilavaku En Mel Innadi Kobam - An underbaked rom-com
A multicultural Pongal celebration in Pittsburgh celebrates Tamil identity
Dragon - A strong foundation
INTERVIEW
British MPs praise Tamils and pledge justice at Pongal
Sanctions on Sri Lanka are Britain's 'responsibility' - Interview with Yasmin Sooka
ITAK's wake up call and Tamil aspirations - Interview with Shanakiyan Rasamanickam