Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of attempting to undermine Buddhism and interfere in the affairs of the Buddhist clergy, as controversy continues over proposed reforms aimed at addressing misconduct within the Buddhist Sangha. The dispute comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Buddhist institutions following allegations of…

Thousands gather in Mannar to mark Maaveerar Naal

Thousands of Tamils gathered at Aadikaattiveli Thuyilum Illam amidst the heavy rainfall to commemorate Maaveerar Naal where the sacrificial lamp was lit by the mother of a fallen LTTE cadre.

British Tamils across the UK come together to mark Maveeraar Naal

Thousands of British Tamils gathered across the UK to commemorate Maaveerar Naal. 

London,UK

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Tamils brave intimidation to remember heroes in Amparai

Hundreds of Tamils gathered at the Kanchikudiyaru Thuyilum Illam in Amparai today to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the Tamil liberation struggle, despite Sri Lankan intelligence surveillance earlier this week.

Tamils in Vavuniya commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Events took place across Vavuniya district to mark Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes' Day - a day observed annually by the Tamil nation to remember the Tamil fighters who gave their lives in the liberation struggle. 

Braving heavy rains, hundreds of Tamil people gathered at Eechankulam Thuyilum Illam to mark the day. 

Maaveerar Naal 2025 commemorated across Tamil Eelam and around the world

Remembrance events have taken place across Tamil Eelam and around the world today, to mark Maaveerar Naal or Great Heroes’ Day, paying tribute to the men and women who died in the independence struggle.

British MPs commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Parliament

British MPs commemorated Maaveerar naal with messages of support for the Tamil people's pursuit of justice and self-determination, today, as thousands across the UK marked Great Heroes' Day

Dame Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils, extended her support for the continued pursuit of justice and self-determination and highlighted the importance of remembrance on this day. 

Maaveerar Naal preparations completed at Mulankaavil LTTE cemetery

Preparations at Mulankaavil thuyilum illam, in Kilinochchi, have been completed ahead of Maaveerar Naal commemorations expected to take place later today. 

Across the thuyilum illam - resting place - red and yellow flags have been raised and a makeshift monument made up of the destroyed gravestones stands tall for people to offer their respects. 

Sri Lankan intelligence intimidates Maaveerar Naal organiser in Amparai

Sri Lanka's intelligence officers are surveilling Tamil organisers at the Kanchikudiyaru thuyilum illam, in an attempt to intimidate Tamils remembering fallen cadres. 

Businesses shut in Thenmarachchi for Maaveerar Naal

Traders in Thenmarachchi, Jaffna, have closed their businesses today to mark Maaveerar Naal, joining the wider Tamil homeland in remembrance.

All trading establishments in Chavakachcheri, Kaithady and Kodikamam are closed today to observe Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes' Day - where the Tamil nation remembers the Tamil fighters who gave their lives for the liberation struggle. 

A struggle that endures

For years in the Tamil homeland, Maaveerar Naal commemorations were forced underground. Lamps were lit behind closed doors, portraits of the fallen hidden from the state and gatherings broken apart by armed soldiers. Not today.