Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing". Speaking at a media briefing held at the Mannar Urban Council on Friday, Vasanthan criticised the decision to arrest the…

Sri Lankan court case against Tamil journalists continues despite international pressure

Despite appeals by international organizations to drop investigations against Tamil journalists Punniyamoorthy Sasikaran and Valasingham Krishnakumar, both journalists were summoned before a Sri Lankan courts for further questioning today.

Both journalists were questioned today in the presence of Judge Dharshika Annanthurai at the Eravur Magistrate Cour, over their overage of a protest in Batticaloa in October. The protest coincided with Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremasinghe’s visit to Batticaloa. 

India looks to build 'Hanuman' bridge from Tamil Nadu to Tamil Eelam

The Indian government is reportedly likely to carry a feasibility study for the construction of a 23-kilometer bridge connecting Tamil Nadu’s Dhanushkodi to Tamil Eelam’s Talaimannar, according to a report in the Times of India.

Online Safety Bill passed in Sri Lanka's parliament despite opposition

The controversy-rigged Online Safety Bill was passed in Sri Lanka's parliament today, despite international concern and opposition claims that it is inconsistent with a Supreme Court determination.

Pongal with protests in Vavuniya as decades-long land deed delays continue

Tamil families from 13 villages in Vavuniya have voiced their frustration over a three-decade delay in receiving their land deeds, as they celebrated Thai Pongal with protests highlighting long-standing issues of displacement  last week.

Transparency International challenges Sri Lanka's Microfinance Bill

A petition lodged by Transparency International Sri Lanka, challenging the Microfinance & Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, is set to be heard in the Supreme Court on January 24th, raising concerns over the proposed legislation's inadequacy in addressing exploitative practices at the grassroots level.

2,529 days and counting - Tamil families of the disappeared continue their protest

Approaching the end of their seventh consecutive year of protest, the Tamil families of the disappeared marking 2,529 days of their continuous demonstration in front of the Vavuniya Road Development Authority on Tuesday (23).

La Courneuve embraces colours of Tamil culture in inaugural Thai Pongal celebration

 

In a momentous occasion for the city of La Courneuve, the vibrant Tamil community gathered for the very first time to celebrate Thai Pongal, marking a milestone in Tamil cultural festivities in the region.

HRW warns Sri Lanka's proposed Online Safety Bills threaten upcoming elections

Human Rights Watch has warned that Sri Lanka's controversial Online Safety Bill could impede the freedom of expression on the internet at a time when the island prepares for a parliamentary and presidential polls later this year. 

Jaffna's young chess prodigy emerges as national champion and eyes global success

Venukanan Nayanakeshan, an 8-year-old chess prodigy from Jaffna, clinched the title of National Champion at the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship in the under-8 open category, qualifying for further international competitions and fuelling talk of potential global success.

The tournament, held at Dharmapala College in Colombo, featured 450 players from each district, with Nayanakeshan securing his place among the top ten.

Tamil political prisoner attacked at Welikada prison confirms ITAK MP

Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam raised concerns about the treatment of Tamil political detainees in Sri Lankan prisons, after a Tamil political prisoner was assaulted in Welikada prison this week.