Features

Features

Latest news from and about the homeland

Image by Tamil Narratives  Today marks 17 years since the death of Brigadier Balraj, a senior commander with the LTTE, who passed away from a sudden heart attack in 2008. Brig. Balraj was famed for his courage, leadership and skills on the battlefield. His body was laid to rest with full military honours, at the Mulliyavalai Heroes Cemetery in Mullaitivu. The cemetery has since been…

Sri Lanka is 'human rights priority' says British minister, as questions over sanctions grow

The British government continues to deem Sri Lanka a “human rights priority country” said Catherine West, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, as she was questioned on the need to impose Magnitsky-style sanctions on Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes.

UN High Commissioner urges Sri Lanka to address 'root causes of the conflict' to advance accountability

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged Sri Lanka to address the "root causes of the conflict" to advance accountability and reconciliation whilst also calling on member states to take action through their own domestic systems and through the international fora. 

Tamil Genocide Education Week Act stands strong - Ontario Court rejects Sri Lankan groups' appeal

The Canadian Court of Appeal for Ontario has affirmed the constitutionality of the Tamil Genocide Education Week Act (TGEWA), rejecting an appeal by Sri Lankan groups challenging the law.

(Ottawa, 11 April, 2009. Photo Credit: Ninaivukal)

ITAK plunges further into chaos as central committee backs Sajith Premadasa

The central committee of the Ilankai Arasu Tamil Katchi (ITAK) announced that it would back Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential elections, in a move that has highlighted the splits and turmoil within the already troubled Tamil political party.

Friend, colleague and supporter of Tamil Eelam struggle - Viraj Mendis is laid to rest

A staunch supporter of Eelam Tamil aspirations and an unwavering voice for those who fought for freedom and safety for asylum seekers, Viraj Mendis was laid to rest in Germany this week.

A staunch supporter of Eelam Tamil aspirations and an unwavering voice for those who fought for freedom and safety for asylum seekers, Viraj Mendis was laid to rest in Germany this week.

Protests and boycott campaign hit Canada’s Tamil Fest

Tamil Fest, an annual street festival organised by the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) to celebrate Tamil culture and identity, was marred by controversy, after protests demanded the organisation apologise for meeting with accused war criminal Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka last year.

Remembering the Sencholai massacre 18 years on

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

Today marks the 18th anniversary of the massacre of 53 school girls by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 

On August 14 2006, four Sri Lankan air force jets flew over the Vanni and dropped sixteen bombs over the Sencholai children's home for orphans, killing 53 school girls and 3 teachers. 

EXCLUSIVE - Sri Lanka attempts to halt construction of Tamil Genocide memorial in Canada

The Sri Lankan government’s representative in Toronto has formally written to the Mayor of Brampton, in a bid to try and halt the construction of a monument dedicated to the victims of the Tamil genocide.

Remembering Black July 41 years on

Today marks 41 years since the horrors of the anti-Tamil pogrom of 1983, when thousands of Tamils were killed by Sinhala mobs backed by the then UNP government and state forces.

Meet Britain’s new cabinet - On Tamils, sanctions and the need to take Sri Lanka to the ICC 

Keir Starmer has been appointed as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and has formed a new cabinet that includes many ministers who have issued statements in support of the British Tamil community and demanded the previous government take Sri Lanka before the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

We examine key figures in the new cabinet and their previous statements on the British Tamil community, justice for mass atrocities committed by Sri Lanka and the need for Tamil self-determination.