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…

Psychiatrist exodus pushes North-East mental health crisis to breaking point

The military occupied Tamil homeland, which already grapples with the highest suicide rates on the island, is facing a worsening mental health crisis as the mass migration of psychiatrists leaves vital services on the brink of collapse.

Former Navy chief admits ‘Gun Site’ torture camp detained up to 60, including foreign nationals

Former Navy Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne has admitted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that “Gun Site”, an underground torture facility located within the Trincomalee naval base, was an unlawful detention centre.

‘Partnership in action’ - US warship to dock in Colombo

The US Navy’s littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) will arrive at the Port of Colombo on 16 August, in what Washington hails as a demonstration of the “strength” of US - Sri Lanka relations and their “shared commitment” to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Civil society organisations urge Sri Lanka's CTID to withdraw summons against Tamil journalist

A coalition of civil society organisations have urged Sri Lanka's Counter Terrorism Investigation Department (CTID) to end their harassment and withdraw a summons against Tamil journalist and photographer Kanapathipillai Kumanan. 

More troops, more surveillance? Batticaloa braces for expanded armed presence

A series of decisions that will further entrench militarisation in the Batticaloa District were announced following a District Coordinating Committee meeting on 13 August, chaired by committee head Sunil Handunneththi.

Tamil journalist summoned by Sri Lanka’s CTID for ‘discrediting military’

Tamil journalist and professional photographer Kanapathipillai Kumanan revealed details of an ongoing inquiry by Sri Lanka’s Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID), which accuses him of spreading information that “discredits the military” and “creates conflict” between security forces and Tamil civilians.

London Tamil chess prodigy becomes youngest female player to beat grandmaster

Bodhana Sivanandan, a 10-year-old British Tamil from Harrow, north-west London, has made chess history by becoming both the youngest woman international master in the world and the youngest female player ever to defeat a grandmaster.

Mannar protesters claim partial victory as Sri Lankan president halts wind power project for one month

Protests continue in Mannar over wind power project as residents demand government intervention

Sampur skeletons to be excavated – Army put in charge of potential mass grave

A court in Muthur has authorised the excavation of a potential mass grave site in Sampur where human skeletal remains were discovered last month, ordering that the work be carried out by the Sri Lankan Army’s Eastern Province Engineering Division with the approval of the Eastern Province Security Force Commander.

Sri Lanka hosts child protection conference despite legacy of state violence against Tamil children

Sri Lanka hosted its first-ever international conference on child protection last month, with the government pledging to reform systems to better safeguard children from abuse, despite Colombo’s continued failure to address long-standing crimes committed against Tamil children during and after the armed conflict.