Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Pon. Sivakumaran's sacrifice remembered in Urumpirai
Pon. Sivakumaran, the first Tamil to die in the liberation struggle, was remembered today in Urumpirai, Jaffna, on the 52nd anniversary of his death.  Sivakumaran was a member of the Tamil Manavar Peravai (or Tamil Student Federation, TSF) and a leading militant in the early armed Tamil struggle. On 5th June 1974, Sivakumaran was surrounded by Sri Lankan security forces. He had…

A decade of déjà vu

Aug 17, 2025
Last week, a much awaited new UN report was released. For many, the document made for familiar reading. The report was damning in its findings. But its conclusion, was starkly weak, once again placing the onus on Sri Lanka to do what it never will – hold war criminals to account.

Coolie - Insufficient power

Aug 16, 2025
Gopi Selva
With a string of huge box office successes to his name, director Lokesh Kanagaraj currently sits at the forefront of commercial Tamil cinema. Unfortunately, ‘Coolie’ runs into many of the same issues that plagued Kanagaraj’s last feature ‘Leo.’

Psychiatrist exodus pushes North-East mental health crisis to breaking point

Aug 15, 2025
The military occupied Tamil homeland, which already grapples with the highest suicide rates on the island, is facing a worsening mental health crisis as the mass migration of psychiatrists leaves vital services on the brink of collapse.

Former Navy chief admits ‘Gun Site’ torture camp detained up to 60, including foreign nationals

Aug 15, 2025
Former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne has admitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that “Gun Site”, an underground torture facility located within the Trincomalee naval base, was an unlawful detention centre.

‘Partnership in action’ - US warship to dock in Colombo

Aug 15, 2025
The US Navy’s littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) will arrive at the Port of Colombo on 16 August, in what Washington hails as a demonstration of the “strength” of US - Sri Lanka relations and their “shared commitment” to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Civil society organisations urge Sri Lanka's CTID to withdraw summons against Tamil journalist

Aug 15, 2025

A coalition of civil society organisations have urged Sri Lanka's Counter Terrorism Investigation Department (CTID) to end their harassment and withdraw a summons against Tamil journalist and photographer Kanapathipillai Kumanan. 

More troops, more surveillance? Batticaloa braces for expanded armed presence

Aug 15, 2025
A series of decisions that will further entrench militarisation in the Batticaloa District were announced following a District Coordinating Committee meeting on 13 August, chaired by committee head Sunil Handunneththi.

Tamil journalist summoned by Sri Lanka’s CTID for ‘discrediting military’

Aug 15, 2025
Tamil journalist and professional photographer Kanapathipillai Kumanan revealed details of an ongoing inquiry by Sri Lanka’s Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID), which accuses him of spreading information that “discredits the military” and “creates conflict” between security forces and Tamil civilians.

London Tamil chess prodigy becomes youngest female player to beat grandmaster

Aug 15, 2025

Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old British Tamil from Harrow, north-west London, has made chess history by becoming both the youngest woman international master in the world and the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.

Mannar protesters claim partial victory as Sri Lankan president halts wind power project for one month

Aug 15, 2025
Protests continue in Mannar over wind power project as residents demand government intervention
A decade of déjà vu
Coolie - Insufficient power
Psychiatrist exodus pushes North-East mental health crisis to breaking point
Former Navy chief admits ‘Gun Site’ torture camp detained up to 60, including foreign nationals
‘Partnership in action’ - US warship to dock in Colombo
Civil society organisations urge Sri Lanka's CTID to withdraw summons against Tamil journalist
More troops, more surveillance? Batticaloa braces for expanded armed presence
Tamil journalist summoned by Sri Lanka’s CTID for ‘discrediting military’
London Tamil chess prodigy becomes youngest female player to beat grandmaster
Mannar protesters claim partial victory as Sri Lankan president halts wind power project for one month
A decade of déjà vu
Coolie - Insufficient power
Psychiatrist exodus pushes North-East mental health crisis to breaking point
Former Navy chief admits ‘Gun Site’ torture camp detained up to 60, including foreign nationals
‘Partnership in action’ - US warship to dock in Colombo
Civil society organisations urge Sri Lanka's CTID to withdraw summons against Tamil journalist
More troops, more surveillance? Batticaloa braces for expanded armed presence
Tamil journalist summoned by Sri Lanka’s CTID for ‘discrediting military’
London Tamil chess prodigy becomes youngest female player to beat grandmaster
Mannar protesters claim partial victory as Sri Lankan president halts wind power project for one month