Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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…

Sri Lanka announces probe into Ranil Wickremesinghe – but ignores war crimes against Tamils

Sri Lanka will launch a fresh inquiry into allegations against former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, said a government minister, including his alleged role in the Batalanda torture camp, the Central Bank bond scam, and the Easter Sunday attacks. 

The move comes just days after Wickremesinghe’s disastrous interview on Al Jazeera, where he was pressed on his record of impunity, his shielding of war criminals, and his failure to address enforced disappearances. 

No more evasion

This week has made one thing abundantly clear: Sri Lanka will never voluntarily deliver justice. Whether in Geneva or on an international news broadcast, its leaders lie, deflect, and evade.

Tamil families of the disappeared brave intimidation to mark International Women’s Day 

Tamil families of the forcibly disappeared in Mullaitivu marked International Women’s Day this week with a protest through Mullivaikkal, the site of the 2009 genocide, as uniformed Sri Lankan police officers watched on.

Ranil Wickremesinghe blames ‘pro-LTTE’ panel as he flounders over Al Jazeera interview

Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe has attempted to shift blame onto “pro-LTTE” figures after his disastrous interview on Al Jazeera English’s Head to Head, in which he floundered over questions on war crimes, enforced disappearances, and his defence of war criminals such as Shavendra Silva.

‘Childish’ and ‘utterly insulting’ - Wickremesinghe defends war criminals in car crash Al Jazeera interview

The interview, aired earlier today, saw Wickremesinghe visibly uncomfortable as he was pressed on allegations of war crimes, government corruption, and his administration’s failure to credibly investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.  He threatened to walk out several times.

TNPF calls for Sri Lanka to be referred to the ICC in letter to Core Group

The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) has reiterated its demand for Sri Lankan to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), in a letter addressed to the Heads of Missions in Geneva of the UNHRC Core Group on Sri Lanka. Written earlier this week, the TNPF criticised previous UN HRC resolutions as ineffective, stating that they have failed to deliver justice for Tamil victims.

Living with the scars of war – New documentary travels to the Tamil homeland

A new documentary aired on TRT World last week, travelled to the Tamil homeland and spoke to former LTTE fighters, activists and journalists on the situation almost 16 years after the end of the armed conflict.

Amongst those interviewed were former LTTE fighter Kokilavany Navalan, Tamil politician Ananthy Sasitharan and journalist Kumanan Kanapathipillai.

They spoke about the ongoing struggles in the North-East such as alcoholism and drug abuse, the push to find those who were abducted and disappeared by the Sri Lankan state and the ongoing attacks, intimidation and surveillance of journalists in the North-East.

Watch the full documentary below.

India looks to launch second ferry service to Tamil Eelam

Sivagangai ship arrived at kankesanthurai

India is set to increase services along a historic maritime route with the launch of a second passenger ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar this July. 

The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has received an expression of interest from an operator to run an all-weather ferry service, capable of carrying 250 passengers and covering the distance in just one hour.

IMF warns ‘no room for errors’ in Sri Lanka as Colombo breaches key economic benchmark

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reiterated its warning to Sri Lanka that there is "no room for policy errors", following concerns that the government’s decision to cut electricity tariffs by 20% has breached a key structural benchmark under the IMF programme.

Illegal sand mining surges in Jaffna amidst threats to locals and journalists

Illegal sand mining has escalated in Sembiyanpatru North, Vadamarachchi East, despite repeated complaints from local residents and environmental activists