Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A New Year celebration titled the ‘Tamil-Sinhala New Year,’ organised by the Umanthava Buddhist Village and the Sri Sathagam Ashram group, was held in Neduntheevu on Monday, raising concerns over the growing Sinhala-Buddhist presence and cultural encroachment in the Tamil homeland. The event took place at Maviddapuram Roman Catholic School in Neduntheevu (Delft Island), with around 350 Tamil…

Vavuniya Magistrate Court orders government authorities non-obstruction of worshippers in Vedukkunaari area

The Vavuniya Magistrate Court has issued an order to all government authorities, including the police, that worshippers in the Vedukkunaari area should not be obstructed in any way. The order was issued during the court hearing regarding the vandalism and destruction of Vedukkunaari Athi Lingeshwara Temple idols. The police informed the court that they have been unable to identify the persons responsible for the vandalization, and further investigations are being carried out.

Ponniyin Selvan Part II - An unworthy successor

Seven months after the release of the first instalment of ‘Ponniyin Selvan,’ the conclusion of the two-part film hits screens worldwide.

Thanthai Chelva remembered in Jaffna

The 46th death anniversary of S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, also known as Thanthai Chelva, was commemorated in Jaffna Town and in Thellipalai. The commemoration was organised by the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Trust. Thanthai Chelva, who is widely regarded as the father of Tamil Nationalism, was remembered for his immense contribution to the Tamil struggle for self-determination in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka to hold separate discussions with China on debt restructuring 

Sri Lanka’s president has announced the government will hold separate discussions with China and the Paris Club, including India, as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to manage the island’s debts.

The announcement comes amidst a dire economic crisis that has seen mass inflation and shortages in basic necessities such as food, fuel and medicine. 

US bans entry of former Sri Lankan Naval Commander over human rights violations

The US announced that former Sri Lankan Naval Commander Wasantha Karannagoda and his wife are now banned from entering the U.S. due to his involvement in human rights violations. 

“The allegation that Wasantha Karannagoda committed a gross human rights violation, documented by NGOs and independent investigations, is serious and credible,” Secretary Anthony Blinken said in a press statement. 

Singapore executes Tamil man despite international outcry

Photograph courtesy of Transformative Justice Collective

Singapore hanged Tanagaraju Suppiah over drug smuggling charges despite global pleas for clemency to be exercised. 

Family of Singaporean Tamil on death row pleads for clemency

Photograph courtesy of Transformative Justice Collective

The family of Singaporean Tamil Tangaraju Suppiah are calling on President Halimah Yacob to exercise clemency to stop Tanagaraju's execution tomorrow after his review application was summarily dismissed earlier today. 

British Tamil diaspora organisations express solidarity with North-East as hartal shuts down region

British Tamil diaspora organisations have expressed their solidarity with the North-East as it carries out a hartal today to protest the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland.

In a statement, the British Tamil Conservatives, Tamil Friends of Liberal Democrats and Tamils for Labour said: 

Hartal opposing new anti-terror legislation and Sinhalisation brings North-East to a standstill

A hartal opposing the Sri Lanka's new anti-terror legislation and the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland has caused a complete halt to all economic activities and movement of the public across the North-East. 

Jaffna University student union voice concerns over proposed Anti-Terrorism Act

Jaffna University's student union have expressed their concerns over the proposed Anti Terrorism Act which they state will curtail freedom of expression and association.