Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Environmentalists and civil society activists protested at Galle Face in Colombo on 17 June against proposed heavy mineral sand mining along the eastern coastline from Oluvil to Pothuvil, warning that the project threatens the land, fisheries and livelihoods of Tamil and Muslim communities across the Eastern Province. According to the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL), exploration…

ITAK in disarray as senior leaders continue to divide party

Chaos and confusion over who the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) will be backing at the upcoming Sri Lankan presidential polls has continued this week, as senior leaders continued to contradict themselves.

Leader-elect of the ITAK Sivagnanam Shritharan told reporters that he did not support the decision of the central committee to back Sajith Premadasa at the upcoming polls.

The climate emergency and its threat to the Tamil homeland

A new crisis is unfolding in the Tamil homeland, writes Amita Arudpragasam for Himal Southasian this month, as the climate emergency threatens to add to the decades of war and systemic discrimination the North-East has faced. 

A new crisis is unfolding in the Tamil homeland, writes Amita Arudpragasam for Himal Southasian this month, as the climate emergency threatens to add to the decades of war and systemic discrimination the North-East has faced. 

Draft UN resolution to extend mandate of war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for 12 months

A draft United Nations Human Rights Council resolution looks set to extend the mandate of a war crimes evidence gathering mechanism for a further year, as the Sri Lankan government continues to reject any prospect of international accountability for mass atrocities this week.

 

Tamils in Jaffna mark 37 years since Thileepan commenced fast unto death

Tamils commemorated the political wing leader of the LTTE, Lt Col Thileepan in Jaffna to mark 37 years since he began his fast unto death on September 15, 1987.

Tamils commemorated the political wing leader of the LTTE, Lt Col Thileepan in Jaffna to mark 37 years since he began his fast unto death on September 15, 1987.

IMF discussions to proceed post Sri Lanka’s presidential elections

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Communications Department Director, Julie Kozack,  has confirmed that the next programme discussion for the IMF’s loan to Sri Lanka is set for mid-October, after the island’s presidential elections next Saturday.

IMF discussions to proceed post Sri Lanka’s presidential elections

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Communications Department Director, Julie Kozack,  has confirmed that the next programme discussion for the IMF’s loan to Sri Lanka is set for mid-October, after the island’s presidential elections next Saturday.

Sri Lankan police release TNPF MP but claim boycott campaign is ‘illegal’

Sri Lankan police released Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) MP Selvarajah Kajendren after he was arrested by Sri Lankan police yesterday for campaigning for a boycott of the Sri Lankan presidential elections.

Sri Lanka's security forces continue militarisation of Tamil schools

The Sri Lankan military continued its militarisation of Tamil schools in the North-East, as uniformed soldiers entered schools to hand out food and stationeries to children this month. 

Sri Lankan troops host another controversial blood donation event in Vavuniya

Earlier this month, Sri Lankan soldiers organized yet another blood donation drive in the North-East, despite previous controversial comments by Sri Lankan leaders on ‘Sinhalese blood’ being given to Tamils. 

The event, which took place at the Vavuniya General Hospital Blood Bank, saw over 140 members of the 56 Infantry Division donating blood, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Sri Lankan army.

Sri Lankan president pardons prisoner after 108 years, but not Tamil political prisoners

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a posthumous presidential pardon to Diyunuge Edward Henry Pedris, who was executed on July 7, 1915 - but not any Tamil political prisoners, dozens of whom continue to remain behind bars.