Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A protest march was held last month opposing limestone excavation, mineral sand mining and a proposed wind power project across the villages of Veravil, Valaipadu, Ponnaveli and Kiranchi, in the Poonakary Divisional Secretariat division of Kilinochchi. The demonstration was organised against plans to establish wind power stations and to carry out mineral sand and limestone extraction in the…

Suthanthirapuram massacre remembered amidst Sri Lankan military intimidation

Relatives, local politicians and members of the public were amongst those that gathered in Suthanthirapuram to commemorate a 1998 massacre by the Sri Lankan air force, as military intelligence officers intimidated those in attendance.

At least thirty-one children and students by the Sri Lankan air force as it bombarded Suthanthirapuram in Mullaitivu on June 10, 1998.

Sri Lanka strengthens diplomatic ties with Myanmar's junta despite international condemnation

A Sri Lankan ambassador presented credentials to Myanmar's ruling military junta, even as countries around the world continue to condemn the regime for its human rights abuses. Sri Lanka joins the likes of India and Saudi Arabia, who have strengthened ties with the Myanmar regime, in opposition to many embassies that have downgraded diplomatic ties.

Sri Lanka's professionals leave country as economic crisis cripple IT industry

Sri Lanka faces a 'brain drain' as the country's worst economic crisis impacts drives away young professionals from its leading IT industry. 

Sri Lanka's IT industry employed more than 120,000 people and was the fifth-largest export earner for the island. It was set to become the top exporter within the next five years and double its employees. However, following the default of debt repayment under the Rajapaksa regime and severe shortages of fuel, food and medicine, firms are finding It increasingly hard to operate. 

Tamil family finally return home to Biloela after four-year battle

The Nadesalingams, an Eelam Tamil family of asylum seekers who have faced more than four years of legal battles with Australian authorities, have finally returned to their home town of Biloela earlier today.

“I am so happy,” said Priya Nadesalingam, as she fells to her knees and kissed the ground, after getting off a plane at Thangool airport. “I am starting a new life.”

Mother of slain journalist passes away without ever seeing justice

The mother of Sahathevan Nilakshan, an up and coming Tamil journalist who was murdered by suspected Sri Lankan military intelligence personnel in 2007 passed away this months, just weeks before the 15th anniversary of her son’s killing.

Sri Lanka seeks USD $55 million loan from India to purchase fertiliser

Sri Lanka has sought a USD $55 million loan from India for the procurement of Urea, as the country faces its worst economic crisis with officials noting an impending severe food shortage. 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had recently warned of a food crisis in the island due to the ongoing economic crisis. 

The government said that the Indian government has agreed to provide the $55 million loan through the Export-Import Bank of India. The loan is being obtained for the procurement of urea for the 2022/23 ‘Maha’ harvest season.

Sri Lankan PM urges IMF to finalise staff-level agreement

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested for the IMF staff-level agreement to be urgently finalised as the economic crisis continues to ravage the island. 

On late Tuesday Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met with Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, to discuss the ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

According to Wickremesinghe's office, Georgeiva has expressed her willingness to aid Sri Lanka during it's crisis.  

‘Sri Lanka’s Rebel Wife’ - Kannan Arunasalam on telling the story of ‘the single biggest disappearance event in the history of the conflict’

Filmmaker Kannan Arunasalam has released his latest documentary, entitled ‘Sri Lanka’s Rebel Wife’, on Al Jazeera Witness this week, following Tamil politician and human rights activist Ananthy Sasitharan, as she continued her fight to seek justice for her forcibly disappeared husband.

He spoke to the Tamil Guardian on his experiences of filming the documentary despite military surveillance, the struggle that Tamil families face when trying to find answers for disappearances and on Sasitharan’s continued fearlessness.

‘Why are you laying your hands on me?’ – Sri Lankan security forces grab Tamil journalist

As a Tamil journalist attempted to cover a protest in Mullaitivu earlier today, Sri Lankan security officers harassed and grabbed him in an attempt to block his coverage of the demonstration against military land grabs.

K Kumanan, a well-known local journalist, had travelled to Vattuvakkal to cover the protest against the expansion of the Gotabaya naval camp, where a heavy security presence had gathered to intimidated demonstrating locals.

Tamils push back efforts to expand ‘Gotabaya naval base’ despite intimidation

Local Tamil protestors pushed back against efforts by the Sri Lankan military to acquire land for the Gotabaya naval base in Mullaitivu today, as the security forces intimidated and harassed demonstrators.