Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Sri Lankan police interrupted a protest in Mannar calling for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan and the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), after questioning participants over the wording of a Tamil-language placard. A demonstration demanding the repeal of Sri Lanka's PTA and the release of detained rapper Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan was held in Mannar on Thursday…

One third of households in Sri Lanka struggling to feed their children - Save the Children survey reveals

A recent survey conducted by Save the Children revealed that more than a third of families in Sri Lanka have been struggling to feed their children as a result of the country’s economic crisis. The data which was collected from May to June of 2022 surveyed 2309 households across nine districts in Sri Lanka. Of the households surveyed more than a third of families said that “they had been forced to reduce their children’s food intake in the past two weeks.” Additionally, thirty percent of families stated that “they had reduced the number of meals they eat in a day.” According to the survey only around one-third of families were able to satisfy their household food needs. Price hikes, fuel

UK pledges to ‘carefully scrutinise’ Sri Lanka–IMF deal as corruption concerns whirl

The UK Treasury pledged to carefully scrutinise any potential bailout package that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may grant Sri Lanka, as concerns regarding corruption continue to be raised around the world.

Commenting on the ongoing discussion between the IMF and Sri Lankan government,  the Treasury noted that “no proposal on Sri Lanka has yet been shared with members”.

STF threatens to plant drugs and frame civilians

War criminals join Go Home Gota protest

Amidst ongoing protests demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, war criminals, formerly aligned with the President, have switched alliances and joined the protests.

‘Don't force us to seek independent Tamil Nadu’ says DMK deputy general secretary

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP A Raja delivered a fiery speech in Nammakal this week, where he told the Central government to grant Tamil Nadu more autonomy and warned not to force the state to seek independence from India.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi says all states are to be seen the same, and Home Minister Amit Shah says if you want unity, learn Hindi,” Raja, who is the DMK deputy general secretary told the party meeting in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin.

‘Tomorrow may be too late' warns SJB, citing Hitler, Mussolini and Gaddafi

6.9 million people who voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted him to be a  Hitler,' claims Sri Lankan minister | Tamil Guardian

Sri Lanka’s president was served a stark warning by Chief opposition whip Lakshman Kiriella this week, who cited the cases of Hitler, Mussolini and Gaddafi – three leaders who were killed or committed suicide – as to why Gotabaya Rajapaksa should resign immediately.

“History repeats itself,” warned the senior vice president of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Myanmar accused of shooting dead two Tamils

Myanmar’s military has been accused of shooting dead two Tamils in the country, with tensions raised across the border in Manipur’s town of Moreh.

The two Tamils have been identified as 28-year-old P. Mohan and 32-year-old M. Pyanar. They had reportedly travelled across the short border from Moreh where they lived to Tamu on Tuesday morning. Mohan had just gotten married two weeks ago.

According to reports, they were shot dead by Pyu Shaw Htee, a militia affiliated with Myanmar military.

With Tamils dying in Swiss detention, protestors call for an end to cruel policy

Following the deaths of at least three Tamil asylum seekers in Swiss detention, campaigners have demanded an end to the policy of forcibly deporting Eelam Tamils to Sri Lanka and called for justice to be served.

Dozens of protestors gathered outside of a deportation prison Bässlergut last month shouting slogans and carrying placards that denounced Switzerland’s deportation of Tamils. Campaigners accused the Swiss government of working with the Sri Lankan state and being complicit in Colombo’s repression of Tamils.

Rare moment of sunshine for Mannar’s fishermen

As Tamils across the North-East continue to grapple with Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, there was a moment of joy in Mannar last month after fishermen caught a rare giant tropical sunfish.

Fishermen on the Gulf of Mannar noticed the unusual catch in their nets on June 22. As they pulled their nets up, they were stunned to see the large ocean sunfish.

Britain warns against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka due to economic crisis

As Sri Lanka’s economic crisis worsens, the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.