Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

""
Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of attempting to undermine Buddhism and interfere in the affairs of the Buddhist clergy, as controversy continues over proposed reforms aimed at addressing misconduct within the Buddhist Sangha. The dispute comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Buddhist institutions following allegations of…

Indian troops in Vanni begin key bridge repair

Construction work has begun to dismantle the severely damaged bridge on the Paranthan–Karaichi–Mullaitivu A35 road to make way for a temporary iron Bailey bridge, as part of India’s ongoing disaster support following Cyclone Ditwah.

Tamil youth dies after Sri Lankan police arrest, family allege state brutality

A 23-year-old Tamil youth from Batticaloa has died after being assaulted by Sri Lankan police according to his family, prompting renewed calls for accountability amid persistent allegations of Sri Lankan state brutality in the region.

Grassroots solidarity as Mannar communities organise food relief amid disaster

Tamil communities across Mannar have mobilised grassroots relief efforts as families displaced by Cyclone Ditwah continue to struggle with shortages of food and basic necessities.

Large parts of the island were devastated by severe flooding and landslides triggered by the cyclone, which swept across the island between 27 and 30 November. Mannar district was among the worst affected, with many families forced into temporary relief centres after losing access to homes, livelihoods and essential services.

Missed warnings and broken promises

It has been a deeply painful week. As tens of thousands of Eelam Tamils gathered to mark Maaveerar Naal, or Great Heroes’ Day, Cyclone Ditwah tore across the island. It was a tragedy that could have, and should have, been mitigated. 

After storm losses, Tamil fishers hit again by Indian fishing incursion

Tamil fishermen from Neduntheevu and Nainatheevu have suffered significant losses after Indian fishermen unlawfully intruded into their traditional fishing waters and destroyed fishing nets worth several lakhs of rupees.

Othiyamalai massacre: Tamil families mark 41 years since Sri Lankan Army killed 32 civilians

The 41st anniversary of the Othiyamalai massacre was observed in Mullaitivu district last week, as families and political representatives gathered to remember the 32 Tamil civilians killed by the Sri Lankan Army on 2 December 1984.

Tamil Nadu sends 950 tonnes of cyclone relief to Sri Lanka

Tamil Nadu dispatched 300 tonnes of essential relief materials to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka via the Indian Navy from Tuticorin Port

Namal Rajapaksa urges government to ‘learn from Gotabaya

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has called for a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate the state’s failures in responding to Cyclone Ditwah, while controversially urging the government to study disaster preparedness measures implemented under former president and accused war criminal Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Memorial for Chemmani mass graves in Jaffna vandalised again

A memorial lamp tower erected as part of the ‘unextinguished lamp’ protest demanding justice for the Chemmani mass grave victims has once again been vandalised by unidentified individuals.

ITAK and DTNA reach agreement to push for 2026 Provincial Council elections

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) have reached a broad agreement to jointly exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to hold Provincial Council elections in 2026 and to work towards formulating a common Tamil political position on the ethnic issue.