Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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  The lawyer representing detained Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar challenged allegations that his client sought to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during proceedings before the Jaffna Magistrate's Court this week, arguing that the material cited by police contains no reference to the organisation or its leadership. Sangeethsan, better known by his stage name…

British woman faces dire prison conditions in Sri Lanka as drug smuggling case continues

A young British woman accused of attempting to smuggle drugs into Sri Lanka has described the appalling conditions of the overcrowded prison where she is currently being held, as her legal case slowly proceeds through the courts.

UK government confirms ongoing war crimes investigation into British mercenaries in Sri Lanka

The UK government has confirmed that an investigation remains ongoing into allegations that British mercenaries, including former SAS soldiers, may have been involved in the commission of war crimes against Tamils alongside the Sri Lankan military.

Ponnambalam calls for Chemmani site to be officially declared a mass grave

Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) leader and Jaffna parliamentarian Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has urged the Sri Lankan government to officially designate the Chemmani site in Jaffna as a mass grave and to provide immediate funding and protection for the ongoing excavation process.

LGBTQ+ annual Pride Walk held in Jaffna

Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Jaffna organised the annual Pride Walk this week, drawing participants from across the Northern Province to call for equality, dignity, and an end to discrimination.

The march began at Nallur Sangiliyan Park and concluded at Ariyakulam Junction, with participants carrying rainbow flags, banners, and placards bearing messages of inclusivity and acceptance. 

Amnesty International calls for transparency in Chemmani mass grave excavations

Amnesty International has urged Sri Lankan authorities to ensure transparency, adequate resourcing, and international standards in the ongoing excavations at the Chemmani-Sindubathi mass grave site in Jaffna, warning that without proper oversight, the process risks failing victims and survivors once again.

'They have killed so many people' – 1988 interview with Father Chandra Fernando

Father Chandra Fernando, an outspoken Catholic priest and human rights activist, was gunned down on June 6, 1988 by suspected paramilitaries working with Indian military intelligence.

Before he was assassinated, he spoke to Jon Lee Anderson and Scott Anderson on the massacres and crimes taking place in the Tamil homeland, the lack of support from the Catholic Church and his view of the armed Tamil resistance.

Sri Lanka’s presidential pardon powers under fire after release of convicted fraudster

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Sri Lanka’s presidential powers to pardon convicted prisoners are facing renewed scrutiny after a convicted financial fraudster was released from prison, reportedly without presidential approval, triggering a criminal investigation and raised fresh concerns over impunity and corruption within the island’s justice system.

From one uniform into another - Former Sri Lankan soldiers to be recruited by Police

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Security has announced plans to recruit 10,000 retired military personnel into its police force. The move comes amid revelations linking former soldiers to a growing wave of gun violence, organised crime, and even overseas mercenary activity.

Sri Lanka reveals several Israeli religious sites operating on island

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Just months after a controversial Israeli community centre in Sri Lanka was identified as the potential target of a “terrorist” attack, the Sri Lankan government has revealed that four Israeli religious centres are currently operating in the country, with two of them unregistered.

Stranded passengers and soaring costs: SriLankan airlines splurges on new aircraft

SriLankan Airlines is under fire after a flight bound for Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Indonesia due to a technical fault, just days after the financially troubled carrier added a new aircraft to its fleet at a reported cost of USD 360,000 per month.