Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka says Indian approval needed to disclose defence pact contents
Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Media and Health, Nalinda Jayatissa, has said that the government cannot unilaterally disclose the contents of a recently signed Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India without mutual consent from New Delhi. The agreement was signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo.  Responding to questions…

Duterte’s Sri Lankan connection

Mar 11, 2025

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has left Manila for The Hague, hours after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him over crimes against humanity linked to his brutal “war on drugs”, which saw as many as 30,000 people killed. 

While Duterte now faces international prosecution, we examine Sri Lanka’s past associations with his policies and his government’s opposition to international accountability efforts.

Sri Lanka’s endorsement of Duterte’s brutality

BBS monk claims 'suicide fighters' have infiltrated Sri Lankan government

Mar 11, 2025
Gnanasara Thero claims extremist groups have infiltrated both the NPP and the Sri Lankan government, warning of a potential threat to national security

Buddhist monks march in Jaffna, with a helping hand from the navy

Mar 11, 2025
A state-backed Buddhist pilgrimage that saw 52 monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos marching from the Tissamaharama Rajamaha Viharaya to the Nagadeepa Rajamaha Vihara in Jaffna has been met with criticism from locals, as concerns mount over the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland.

What is the Batalanda Report?

Mar 11, 2025
Following a disastrous interview with Al Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan by former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Batalanda report and his role in facilitating torture has come into the spotlight. We take a look at the report and at Wickremesinghe’s alleged role.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament

Mar 11, 2025
The Sri Lankan Cabinet has confirmed that the Batalanda Commission Report will be presented to Parliament this week, after a disastrous interview by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Al Jazeera aired last week.

Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings

Mar 10, 2025
The leader of a far right, ultranationalist Buddhist organisation claimed on Thursday that he knew the identity of the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which claimed the lives of 270 people, including many foreign tourists.

Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP

Mar 10, 2025
The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a paramilitary group that was once closely linked to the Rajapaksas has reportedly refused to contest under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lotus symbol, leaving the party scrambling to find alternative partners in the Tamil homeland. 

Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains

Mar 10, 2025
The Jaffna court has appointed a five-member committee to oversee security at Ariyalai cemetery following the discovery of human skeletal remains

Tamil MP assassinated by Sri Lankan military remembered

Mar 10, 2025

Events were held in Jaffna and Mullaitivu last week to commemorate Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Kiddinan Sivanesan on the 17th anniversary of his assassination by Sri Lankan armed forces on March 6, 2008.

Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies in crisis amidst ‘political interference’, says Sinhala nationalist MP

Mar 10, 2025

Sinhala nationalist lawmaher and leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), Udaya Gammanpila, has accused the Dissanayake-led government of weakening Sri Lanka’s intelligence sector, warning that such reckless interference poses a “severe national security risk”.

Duterte’s Sri Lankan connection
BBS monk claims 'suicide fighters' have infiltrated Sri Lankan government
Buddhist monks march in Jaffna, with a helping hand from the navy
What is the Batalanda Report?
Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament
Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings
Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP
Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains
Tamil MP assassinated by Sri Lankan military remembered
Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies in crisis amidst ‘political interference’, says Sinhala nationalist MP
Duterte’s Sri Lankan connection
BBS monk claims 'suicide fighters' have infiltrated Sri Lankan government
Buddhist monks march in Jaffna, with a helping hand from the navy
What is the Batalanda Report?
Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament
Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings
Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP
Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains
Tamil MP assassinated by Sri Lankan military remembered
Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies in crisis amidst ‘political interference’, says Sinhala nationalist MP