Interviews

Interview

Latest news from and about the homeland

Earlier this month, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) submitted more than 60 sanctions requests targeting Sri Lankan officials, security personnel and former Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) officers for their roles in human rights violations committed during and after Sri Lanka’s armed conflict. In an interview with the Tamil Guardian, Yasmin Sooka, Executive Director of ITJP…

Interview with Uma Kumaran - British Tamil running to become UK Member of Parliament

With the 2024 UK General Election set to take place on July 4, more British Tamils than ever before have been named as candidates with a range of Britain’s political parties. The Tamil Guardian interviewed the candidates who are hoping to become one of the UK’s first-ever British Tamil parliamentarians.

 

Tamil self-determination the 'main solution' - Interview with US House Representative Wiley Nickel

Self-determination for the Eelam Tamil people is the “main solution” to the enduring ethnic conflict on the island, said US House Representative Wiley Nickel, after he introduced a historic resolution to the US Congress last week.

Speaking with the Tamil Guardian at his office in Washington D.C., Representative Nickel said the resolution was “an important first step” in leading US action on the island.

INTERVIEW – British Tamil Brin Pirathapan crowned MasterChef Champion 2024

Brin Pirathapan, a British Tamil veterinary surgeon, has claimed the prestigious title of MasterChef Champion 2024, winning the 20th series of UK TV’s biggest cooking competition.

In an interview with the Tamil Guardian, 29-year-old Brin spoke of the inspiration he drew from his Tamil background to create bold, creative combinations of flavours that led to him being awarded the coveted MasterChef trophy.

EXCLUSIVE - Amnesty International chief calls for Sri Lanka referral to UN Security Council

On the 15th anniversary of the genocide at Mullivaikal, Amnesty International's Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, has called on the international community to take decisive action by referring Sri Lanka to the United Nations Security Council with a view to an International Criminal Court investigation. Speaking to Tamil Guardian after attending the Mullivaikal commemoration today, Callamard highlighted the ongoing struggle for justice and the critical need for international intervention, including the application of universal jurisdiction to deliver justice when Sri Lankan war criminals travel abroad.

‘Cracking down on memorials should be a red line’ – Elliot Colburn MP speaks with Tamil Guardian

In advance of the 15th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide, Elliot Colburn, MP for Carshalton and Wallington and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) sat down with Tamil Guardian for a wide-ranging conversation on genocide recognition; bringing Sri Lanka before the ICC; and upholding the rights of Tamils for self-determination.

 

‘Cracking down on memorials should be a red line’

Sri Lanka’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission 'is a joke' - TNPF leader tells Tamil Guardian

Tamil Guardian caught up with Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam to hear his thoughts on Sri Lanka's Truth and Reconcilication Commission, international accountability, the repressive environment of the North-East and Tamil political representation. 

Tamil nationalism must begin from graves of Eelam fighters - Shritharan's exclusive interview

The newly elected leader of the Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), Sivagnanam Shritharan spoke to the Tamil Guardian for an exclusive interview on how he hopes to further Tamil aspirations.

‘Prisoner #1056’ chronicles Tamil resilience - Interview with Roy Ratnavel

Author Roy Ratnavel visited London for the launch of his novel ‘Prisoner #1056.’ Ratnavel’s book, a bestseller in Canada, details an introspective journey, recounting his idyllic upbringing in Point Pedro before turning to the horrors of imprisonment during the armed struggle, leading to his resettlement in Canada. 

‘Sri Lanka must be referred to the ICC’ – CV Wigneswaran speaks with Tamil Guardian

Amidst the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council session, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootan (TMTK), CV Wigneswaran, spoke with Tamil Guardian on issues of devolution, the 13th amendment, the weaknesses of the UNHRC resolution, and the need for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

‘Sri Lanka’s judiciary is not free and independent' – Sandya Ekneligoda speaks with Tamil Guardian

Speaking with Tamil Guardian, Sandya Ekneligoda, wife of forcibly disappeared journalist and human rights activist Prageeth Ekneligoda, gave a damning indictment of Sri Lanka’s judiciary maintaining that it is not “free and independent” and could not deliver justice for victims.