Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Sri Lanka's parliament on Tuesday approved a further extension of the country's state of public emergency, with all seven votes against the measure cast by Tamil Members of Parliament. The motion was passed by 135 votes in favour and seven against, a majority of 128. The seven MPs who opposed the extension were Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Sivagnanam Shritharan, K. Kodeeswaran, G. Srineshan, T.…

Maaveerar Naal marked at destroyed cemetery in Amparai

Hundreds of Tamils gathered at a destroyed LTTE cemetery in Amparai to mark Maaveerar Naal on Weednesday, joining Tamils across the North-East and around the world in remembering those who gave their lives in the Tamil struggle.

See footage from the event below.


Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Trincomalee

Tamils in Trincomalee commemorated Maaveerar Naal on Wednesday, alongside the rest of the Tamil nation across the North-East and around the world. 

See footage from the Sampur Thuyilum Illam - an LTTE cemetery that has been destroyed by the Sri Lankan military - below.

British Tamil students hold Maaveerar Naal tributes 

British Tamil university students commemorated the Tamil fighters that fought and lost their lives in the liberation struggle, this Wednesday across the country.   

Some universities also held events to educate university students on the history of Maaveerar Naal and the self-determination struggle for Tamil Eelam. 

 

Essex University 

Swiss embassy sets record straight on employee abduction

In an official statement, the Embassy of Switzerland issued a set of clarifications regarding the abduction of a local employee in Colombo.

To stop false information circulating, the embassy issued the following clarifications:

Tamil Nadu leader arrested for protesting Rajapksa’s visit

Vaiko, leader of Tamil Nadu Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) party, has been arrested for protesting against the three-day visit of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, from November 28-30.

"We must not forget about accountability and justice" - Lord Ahmad


Lord Tariq Ahmad, Britain's Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth, the United Nations and South Asia spoke to the British Tamil Conservatives (BTC) and emphasised the need to stand up for "important aspects of reconciliation" as well as "accountability and justice" in Sri Lanka.

Thousands mark Maaveerar Naal at destroyed cemeteries in Kilinochchi

Thousands of Tamils attended Maaveerar Naal at thuyilum illams (LTTE cemeteries) in the Kilinochchi district on Nobember 27.

Kanagapuram, where in 2016 one of the first public commemorations since the end of the armed conflict was held, once again saw massive crowds despite heavy rain.

Efforts to hold commemorations at as many thuyilum illams as possible around the Tamil homeland meant that other cemeteies in the district also attracted large turnout.

Tamils defy military threats to mark Maaveerar Naal in Vavuniya

 

Despite the Sri Lankan army having destroyed preparations the night before, Tamils across Vavuniya gathered at the Eechchankulam Thuyilum Illam on Wednesday to mark Maaveerar Naal.

Preparations were completely rebuilt within a few hours at the destroyed LTTE cemetery, as Tamils from across the gathered to remember fallen fighters.

See video from the event and photographs from another remembrance event at the Vavuniya Urban Council below. 

Maaveerar Naal observed by Tamils across Europe

Maaveerar Naal was observed by thousands of Tamils across Europe, where they gathered in various cities to pay tribute to the fallen. 

Oberhausen, Germany

 

Antwerp, Belgium

Mannar Tamils defy threats to mark Maaveerar Naal

Maaveerar Naal was commemorated in destroyed thuyilum illams (LTTE cemeteries) in Mannar district on November 27.

Despite threats and obstacles from Sri Lankan security forces, thousands showed up to the thuyilum illams where the traditional commemorations took place with flames and flowers.