Features

Features

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka’s newly released preliminary census figures from 2024 illustrated how the Tamil North-East, particularly the Vanni region, remains the worst-affected part of the island in terms of population loss and stagnation. According to the “Census of Population and Housing – 2024 Preliminary Report” by Sri Lanka’s Department of Census and Statistics, the three districts that make up the core…

US sanctions Sri Lankan officials over corruption

The United States has sanctioned two Sri Lankan officials and their immediate families over corruption, rendering them unable to enter the country in a move to mark International Human Rights Day. Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga and the former CEO of Sri Lanka Airlines Kapila Chandrasena have both been sanctioned for their “involvement in significant corruption”.

Sri Lankan militarisation continues in the Tamil homeland

The Sri Lankan army continues its militarisation of the Tamil homeland through a variety of strategies, from entering schools to building infrastructure for the military - despite a new government coming into power.

Sri Lanka continues to be one of the most militarised countries in the world, with the Tamil homeland in particular suffering from an occupation that infiltrates civilian and cultural places.

Involvement in Tamil schools and communities

The 10th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and the 7th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment hosted lunch programmes for pre-school children in Jaffna.

Maaveerar Naal 2024 commemorated as cyclone hits Tamil Eelam

Tamils across the North-East gathered at the site of destroyed cemeteries and held private commemorations at homes to mark Maaveerar Naal, paying tribute to Tamil freedom fighters even as a cyclone tore through the island.

The end of Tamil nationalism? Not according to the numbers

An analysis of Sri Lankan election data highlights a collapse of many government affiliated parties and reveals why Tamil nationalism might be growing - not shrinking.

Academics, Tamils and an extremist Sinhala nationalist - Meet Sri Lanka's new cabinet

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake swore in a 22-member Cabinet on Monday after his party secured a two-third parliamentary majority in last week’s election. We take a closer look at who these appointees are.

Candidates target the Tamil nationalist vote as Sri Lanka's general election looms

As Tamils across the island gear up to vote in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections this week, candidates from across the array of Tamil parties have all tried to showcase their nationalist credentials to secure the Tamil vote.

The election, set to take place on November 14, has seen a surge in Tamil nominations as hundreds of individuals, some from newly formed Tamil political parties, are standing to become MPs.

There are almost 400 candidates standing for Jaffna’s 6 seats, whilst in the Vanni, there are 423 candidates for their 6 seats. Hundreds of Tamils are also standing in the Eastern Provinces three districts of Batticaloa, Amparai and Trincomalee.

US ‘gifts’ aircraft to Sri Lankan air force, as Admiral hails military ties

At a ceremony held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake, U.S. Navy Admiral Steve Koehler, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, officially handed over a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), as he celebrated increasing military cooperation between the two countries

UN resolution on Sri Lankan war crimes collection passes without vote despite government opposition

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution that mandates the continued collection of evidence to be used in war crimes trials without a vote, despite the continued opposition of the new Sri Lankan government earlier today.

Tamil parties file papers and make their bid ahead of Sri Lanka's parliamentary polls

Tamil political parties across the island have begun filing their nomination papers for candidates ahead of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election next month.

Tamil political parties across the island have begun filing their nomination papers for candidates ahead of Sri Lanka’s parliamentary election next month.

Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Honors Thileepan

Who is Sri Lanka's foreign minister Vijitha Herath?

Vijitha Herath, a staunch Sinhala nationalist and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) stalwart has been appointed Sri Lanka’s country’s Foreign Minister, as well as the Minister of Religious Affairs, Mass Media, Environment, Water Supply, Plantation, Community, Housing, and Transport, among others.

We look back at his record.