Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Amnesty International has called for the release of detained Tamil rapper Sangeethan Ganeshkumar and renewed demands for the repeal of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), warning that the legislation continues to facilitate arbitrary detention and human rights abuses. In a statement issued this week, the international rights organisation expressed concern over the continued use of…

Mullivaikkal memorial float travels through North-East to commemorate Tamil genocide

A memorial float travelled through Mullaitivu today to mark the third day Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week commemorating the tens of thousands killed by the Sri Lankan state 14 years ago.

Don't let Sri Lanka hide Tamil genocide!'- Australian Tamils rally to commemorate Mullivaikkal genocide

Tamils in Melbourne and Sydney rallied today to remember the Mullivaikkal genocide where the Sri Lankan state killed tens of thousands of Tamils in May 2009. 

Athi Lingeswaran temple priest and member released on bail following arrest by Sri Lankan police

The priest and member of Athi Lingeswaran temple were released on bail yesterday after they were arrested by Nedunkeni police. 

Mallakam Magistrate Court orders no obstruction to worship at Tissa Rajamaha Vihara in Thaiyiddy

Mallakam Magistrate Court has issued an interim order that there should be no obstruction of worship or festivals conducted at the Tissa Rajamaha Vihara in Thaiyiddy, Point Pedro.

Oddusuddan residents demand release of Sri Lankan army occupied lands

Residents of Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu have requested the release of land that is currently occupied by Sri Lanka's 64th Regiment during a development meeting last week. 

The 64th Regiment army base currently occupies 25 acres of land belonging to the Irrigation Department, two individuals and a Hindu cemetery. 

Sinhala Buddhist monk seeks permission to build temple in Chunnakam

A Sinhala Buddhist monk who recently purchased 6 acres of land in Chunnakam, Jaffna has applied for permission to build a Buddhist temple on the site.

Tha land, purchased from a private owner, is near Kantharodai which is currently under the control of Sri Lanka's archeology department. The monk has written to the archeology department requesting permission to build a vihara - a Buddhist temple - on the land. 

While the monk has expressed his willingness to expedite the necessary permissions for building a temple, he has made it clear that the archeology department’s permission is paramount.

 

Students across North-East denied access to bus services

Following multiple reports of students being denied transport services on the A9 road in Sri Lanka, the head of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has issued a statement guaranteeing that no student will be refused transport and will be given priority in the future. The SLTB was summoned to the Human Rights Council after journalists highlighted reports of students in the Mullaitivu district, Mankulam, Panikulam, Kizhavankulam, and Thirumurukandi facing issues in attending school due to lack of transport services. Despite the SLTB's initial orders to give priority to students, reports continued to emerge of students being denied access to buses.

15 prisoners released from Vavuniya on Buddhist holiday

15 Prisoners were released from the Vavuniya Prison on a General Pardon. The Department of Prisons Sri Lanka announced that 988 prisoners were to be released on a General Pardon by order of the President on Vesak. Prisoners are annually released on important Buddhist holidays in Sri Lanka. The 15 prisoners that were released were from impoverished families and were unable to pay their respective fines for petty crimes. 

Vavuniya honours Tamil poet Ilango Adigal

Celebrations were held in Vavuniya to commemorate the earliest Tamil epic poet, Ilango Adigal, and his contribution to Tamil literature. On the full moon day in May, near the Cinnaputhukulam Sivan Kovil, a statue of Ilango Adigal was garlanded, and guest speakers spoke about how he had shaped Tamil literature.

Jaffna University student union serve Mullivaikkal Kanji

Jaffna University’s student union are serving Mullivaikkal kanji in Jaffna today as the Tamil nation remembers the massacres committed by the Sri Lankan state 14 years ago.

Kanji - a porridge of rice and water - was the only food available to Tamils trapped in the Sri Lankan government declared 'No Fire Zones' as food, medicines and other necessities were heavily restricted from entering the Vanni during the final phase of the armed conflict.