Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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A protest demanding the release of Tamil rapper Ganeshkumar Sangeethsan, who remains detained under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), was held outside the Sri Lankan Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Wednesday evening. The demonstration, held on June 10, saw civil society activists, religious leaders, trade union representatives and members of the public gather outside the…

Core Group condemns violence against protesters in Sri Lanka and calls for those responsible to be held accountable

The Core Group on Sri Lanka told the UN Human Rights Council that they are "deeply concerned" by the violent attacks on anti-government protesters that broke out last month and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. 

In a statement, the Core Group made up of Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the UK and the United States, said: 

Front Line Defenders express concern over 'continuing reprisals' against Tamil journalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan

International human rights organisation, Front Line Defenders, said they are "extremely concerned about continuing reprisals" against Tamil journalist and human rights defender Kanapathipillai Kumanan after he was recently intimidated by a Sri Lankan naval officer. 

UN human rights chief calls for ‘deeper institutional reforms’ in Sri Lanka

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on Sri Lanka to “focus on deeper institutional reforms” as she cited the country as an example of regions where economic crises have impacted on human rights.

World Food Programme official plans visit to Sri Lanka amidst impending food crisis

The Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, plans to visit Sri Lanka upon receiving an invitation from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the crisis on the island worsens.

According to Wickremesinghe, due to its economic crisis, Sri Lanka will soon face a food shortage. Experts have warned that essential food items will be in short supply come September this year. 

Children amongst group of asylum seekers detained by Sri Lankan navy

The Sri Lankan navy has detained 38 people, including several children, off the coast of Amparai this week, claiming that they were attempting to flee the island. 

According to the Navy media unit, the detainees comprise 26 men, 5 women, and 7 children. The migrants are residents of the Jaffna, Vavuniya, Valachchenai, Chilaw, Kalpitiya, Udappuwa, Ja-Ela and Negombo regions. 

Desperate Sri Lanka looks to Russia for more oil, despite threat of sanctions

Ranil admits 'failure' of government to ensure security | Tamil Guardian

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister admitted his cash-strapped government will look to Moscow for oil, as an economic crisis in the country has left the island facing a dire fuel shortage.

‘We have nothing to lose anymore’ – Interview with Ananthy Sasitharan

Following the release of a new documentary on Tamil politician and human rights activist Ananthy Sasitharan on Al Jazeera Witness last week, she spoke and on how only an international mechanism can deliver justice for enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka and detailed the struggle that she has been through in her journey so far.

Sri Lankan army commander pledges ‘agricultural revolution’ as monks call for more militarisation

Sri Lanka’s new Commander of the Army said that the military is prepared for an “agricultural revolution” as he met with senior Sinhala Buddhist monks who called for troops to be more “involved in the cultivation process” as militarisation continues on the island.

During a visit to Kandy Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage met with the Maha Sangha, where according to an official army website, he made several offerings to the monks.

Jaffna Tamils celebrate Pride Month with annual Rainbow Pride Walk

As the world's LGBTQ+ communities commemorate and celebrate Pride month, Jaffna Pride's annual Rainbow Pride Walk took place last weekend. 

Tamil protesters block installation of Buddha statue at Tamil temple site

Local Tamils and politicians blocked an attempt by Sinhala Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan army to install a Buddha statue on a native Tamil temple site. 

Sinhala Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan army had planned a Buddhist dedication ceremony to consecrate a Buddha statue at the site of a native Tamil temple despite an order by Mullaitivu Magistrate's Court decreeing that no changes could be made to the site.