Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Mannar Urban Council Chairman Daniel Vasanthan has strongly condemned the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), stating that the detention reflects a situation where "Tamils do not even have the freedom to sing". Speaking at a media briefing held at the Mannar Urban Council on Friday, Vasanthan criticised the decision to arrest the…

Transparency International challenges Sri Lanka's Microfinance Bill

A petition lodged by Transparency International Sri Lanka, challenging the Microfinance & Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, is set to be heard in the Supreme Court on January 24th, raising concerns over the proposed legislation's inadequacy in addressing exploitative practices at the grassroots level.

2,529 days and counting - Tamil families of the disappeared continue their protest

Approaching the end of their seventh consecutive year of protest, the Tamil families of the disappeared marking 2,529 days of their continuous demonstration in front of the Vavuniya Road Development Authority on Tuesday (23).

La Courneuve embraces colours of Tamil culture in inaugural Thai Pongal celebration

 

In a momentous occasion for the city of La Courneuve, the vibrant Tamil community gathered for the very first time to celebrate Thai Pongal, marking a milestone in Tamil cultural festivities in the region.

HRW warns Sri Lanka's proposed Online Safety Bills threaten upcoming elections

Human Rights Watch has warned that Sri Lanka's controversial Online Safety Bill could impede the freedom of expression on the internet at a time when the island prepares for a parliamentary and presidential polls later this year. 

Jaffna's young chess prodigy emerges as national champion and eyes global success

Venukanan Nayanakeshan, an 8-year-old chess prodigy from Jaffna, clinched the title of National Champion at the Sri Lanka National Youth Chess Championship in the under-8 open category, qualifying for further international competitions and fuelling talk of potential global success.

The tournament, held at Dharmapala College in Colombo, featured 450 players from each district, with Nayanakeshan securing his place among the top ten.

Tamil political prisoner attacked at Welikada prison confirms ITAK MP

Ilankai Thamil Arasuk Katchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam raised concerns about the treatment of Tamil political detainees in Sri Lankan prisons, after a Tamil political prisoner was assaulted in Welikada prison this week.

Soldiers in Sri Lanka's hospitals, as health workers strike

In a sign of deepening militarisation in Sri Lanka, the government has deployed uniformed soldiers to hospitals across the island, as a strike by health unions intensifies.

Sri Lanka's parliament votes to go ahead with Online Safety Bill debate amid opposition

Sri Lanka’s parliament today voted to go ahead with a scheduled debate on the controversial Online Safety Bill that has been vehemently opposed by critics who state it stifles freedom of speech on the internet. 

India committed to 13A says Sumanthiran, as new diplomat meets Tamil MPs

India’s new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha assured India’s support for the Tamil national question, ITAK parliamentarian M A Sumanthiran told the Tamil Guardian, after a cross-party group of Tamil legislators met with the diplomat this week.

Sinhala extremist party leader shot dead in drive by

Saman Perera, the leader of the right-wing Sinhala nationalist party 'Ape Janabala Pakshaya' (meaning “Our Power of People Party” in Sinhala), was confirmed to be among the five individuals shot dead in Tangalle, on Monday (22).