Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Tamils across the North-East commemorated Annai Poopathy on Saturday, marking 37 years since her hunger strike unto death, in protest of atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF). Poopathy Kanapathipillai, affectionately known as Annai Poopathy (Mother Poopathy), began her hunger strike on March 19, 1988 in Batticaloa, calling for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks…

Illegal sand mining surges in Jaffna amidst threats to locals and journalists

Illegal sand mining has escalated in Sembiyanpatru North, Vadamarachchi East, despite repeated complaints from local residents and environmental activists

Buddhist monks march in Vavuniya as Sri Lanka escalates Sinhalisation 

Sri Lanka’s ongoing campaign to Sinhalise Tamil sites continued last week as a large number of Buddhist monks, escorted by military and police personnel, marched towards the Vedukkunaari temple in Nedunkerni, Vavuniya. 

The controversial march began on Shivaratri, a sacred day for Saiva Tamils.

Did the Iron Age begin with Tamils? New research challenges history

A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Tamil Nadu is set to rewrite global history, with new evidence suggesting that iron smelting in the region dates back to as early as 3,345 BCE—over a thousand years earlier than previously believed. 

The findings challenge long-held assumptions that the Iron Age began in the Hittite Empire in present-day Turkey around 1300 BCE and instead position Tamil Nadu as one of the earliest known centres of iron production.

Tamil schoolteacher interrogated for eight hours as Sri Lanka’s crackdown continues

 

A Tamil schoolteacher was subjected to eight hours of interrogation by Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) in Paranthan, as the security forces continued to crackdown on Tamil activists.

Innasimuttu Sathiyaseelan’s alleged "offence" was the creation of a prop for a school sports meet, which included an entrance arch resembling a Thuyilam Illam, or LTTE cemetery, the shape of Tamil Eelam. 

Tamils protest at UN in Geneva as Sri Lanka is discussed at Human Rights Council

Hundreds of Tamil activists, youth, and diaspora members gathered outside the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday, demanding international justice for the Tamil genocide and the liberation of occupied Tamil Eelam.

The protest coincided with Sri Lanka's discussion at the UNHRC’s 58th session, where the island’s human rights record and lack of accountability were under review.

Sri Lanka claims ‘extremist’ group operating in East

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Media, Nalinda Jayatissa, has stated that intelligence agencies are monitoring an “extremist group” reportedly operating from Kalmunai in the Eastern Province. 

Sri Lanka pledges to repeal PTA – but will another repressive law takes its place?

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that his government will repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and replace it with a new legal framework, raising concerns that the infamously draconian law may simply be rebranded rather than abolished.

Sri Lankan PM highlights Rajapaksa's extravagant spending

During a parliamentary debate on government expenditure, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya disclosed a detailed breakdown of the staggering foreign travel costs incurred by former presidents over the past fifteen years.

Tamil nationalist alliance formed ahead of local government elections

A coalition of nine Tamil nationalist parties has been formed to contest the upcoming local government elections under the conch symbol, under a new political formation known as the Democratic Tamil Nationalist Front (DTNF).

Shiv Sena calls for ‘six months’ to end vihara dispute in Jaffna

Members of the Shiv Sena organisation pledged to resolve the long-standing Thaiyiddy Vihara land dispute within six months, during a press conference in Jaffna last week.