Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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The Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappeared in the North-East (ARED) has appealed to the United Nations to ensure an international investigation into enforced disappearances and mass graves across the Tamil homeland, including the ongoing excavations at Chemmani, where more than 380 human skeletal remains have been uncovered. In a letter dated 19 June 2026, the association called…

Maaveerar Naal marked at Jaffna's destroyed LTTE cemeteries

Thousands of Tamils in the Jaffna district attended Maaveerar Naal commemorations at thuyilum illams - destroyed LTTE cemeteries - around the district.

Koppay

Commemorations at Koppay take place close to the original site of the thuyilum illam, which is now occupied by the Sri Lankan army.

Rajapaksa appoints his brother Minister of Defence


Chamal Rajapaksa, brother of Sri Lankan president and alleged war criminal Gotabaya Rajapksa, has been appointed State Minister of Defence.

He is the third in his family to receive a top tier post within the new government.

MP Namal Rajapaksa allowed to travel despite money laundering allegations


 

Yesterday, the Colombo High Court Judge, Pradeep Hettiarachchi lifted the imposed travel ban on Namal Rajapaksa. He is due to stand trial on February 10 having been arrested on money laundering charges.

The court case accuses Namal’s embezzlement of Rs. 70 million through a firm named the Gowers Corporate between 2013 – 2014. He was subsequently arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division in 2016.

Grief and resistance in Batticaloa as thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations

Thousands of Tamil from across Batticaloa district attend several Maaveerar Naal commemoration events yesterday, braving Sri Lankan military intimidation.

In line with Tamils across the homeland and in the diaspora, locals lit flames and offered flowers before portraits of fallen liberation fighters.

See photographs and videos from across the district below.

 

Tharavai Thuyilum Illam

Maaveerar Naal held all over Mullaitivu

After weeks of preparation and threats, Maaveerar Naal was commemorated all over Mullaitivu on November 27.

Mullaitivu was the district with the highest number of thuyilum illams - cemeteries for fallen LTTE fighters - in the Tamil homeland. It is now currently the most heavily militarised district in the Tamil homeland, and organisers of Maaveerar Naal felt the consequences of the militarisation heavily as volunteers were intimidated and threatened throughout the preparation process.

Tamil newspapers across the North-East mark Maaveerar Naal

Front pages of Tamil newspapers across the North-East marked Maaveerar Naal on Wednesday morning.

See a selection of the front pages below.

Thinakkural's front page highlights a memorial erected for Maaveerar in Jaffna. 

Maaveerar Naal: Past & Present - 47 Roots

Tamils in the diaspora and across Eelam hold memorials for Maaveerar Naal (Great Heroes Day) despite the clear and present threat posed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

See this video from 47 roots above.

UK party leaders pledge support for British Tamils

Writing in the Tamil Guardian on November 27th, the leaders of the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats both expressed their support for British Tamils and pledged to work with the community in their struggle for justice.

 

In his piece, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on his work with British Tamils and his party's commitment to human rights and justice.

I will never back down on Labour manifesto pledge - Jeremy Corbyn

Writing in the Tamil Guardian on November 27th, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on his work with British Tamils and his party's commitment to human rights and justice.

Liberal Democrats are committed to supporting British Tamils - Jo Swinson

Writing in the Tamil Guardian on November 27th, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson speaks on genocide recognition, justice for mass atrocities and her party’s commitment towards supporting British Tamils.