Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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UNP rallies to defend Buddhist institutions amid clergy misconduct controversy
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…

‘I will always rep being Tamil’ - Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Nov 19, 2025
Tamil-Canadian actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan used a recent speech to deliver a sharp, funny and political reflection on identity, language and solidarity, urging Tamils to reject respectability politics and “stop caring about what will people think”.

Amid growing outrage, NPP Tamil MP refuses to step down

Nov 19, 2025

A Tamil parliamentarian from the National People’s Power (NPP) has publicly refused to resign amidst growing criticism over the party’s handling of the Trincomalee Buddha statue controversy.

Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and NPP MP representing Trincomalee, issued a lengthy statement responding to sustained pressure from Tamil parties who demanded his resignation after the government backtracked on the removal of an unauthorised Buddha statue installed on the coastal reservation.

BBS storms into Trincomalee as Buddhist monks and hardliners fume

Nov 19, 2025

The extremist Sinhala-Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has entered the growing controversy in Trincomalee, as its General Secretary, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara, travelled to the district yesterday to condemn the Coast Conservation Department and police over the removal of an illegally placed Buddha statue on coastal land.

The official response - Trinco Buddha statue built illegal say authorities

Nov 19, 2025
Sri Lanka’s Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department (CC&CRM) and police force have issued detailed clarifications on the controversial installation of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee, stating that the incident was rooted in persistent violations of coastal regulations rather than a religious dispute.

Preparations underway at Kodalikallu as Mullaitivu readies for Maaveerar Naal

Nov 19, 2025
Preparations for the 2025 Maaveerar Naal commemorations at the Kodalikallu Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam in Mullaitivu began yesterday, as volunteers gathered to ready the site ahead of next week’s remembrance events.

Kaantha - A meta mystery

Nov 18, 2025
Gopi Selva
Selvaraj returns with his sophomore feature ‘Kaantha,’ a period piece filled with film noir elements.

Dissanayake claims Trincomalee ‘problem is resolved’ as Buddha statue remains in place

Nov 18, 2025
Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has insisted that the controversy over the unauthorised Buddha statue at Trincomalee is “already resolved,” even as the statue remains at the site and the government faces mounting criticism for capitulating to Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist pressure.

Unanimous council vote sees liquor shops closed to mark Maaveerar Naal

Nov 18, 2025
The Pachilaipalli Pradeshiya Sabha has announced that all liquor outlets within its jurisdiction will be closed on 27 November, after unanimously resolving to mark Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes Day - as a sacred day of remembrance.

Mannar ends 105-day protest but warns Sri Lankan government must act

Nov 18, 2025
The continuous protest against the controversial Mannar wind power project came to an end after 105 days of demonstrations, with organisers stating they would pause their campaign in anticipation of promised government action.

Batticaloa MP sounds alarm over Buddhist construction in Vadamunai

Nov 18, 2025
Batticaloa District parliamentarian Gnanamuthu Srineshan of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) warned that the construction of a new Buddhist place of worship in the Tamil village of Nediyagal Malai in Vadamunai risks accelerating state-backed demographic change and further militarisation.
‘I will always rep being Tamil’ - Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Amid growing outrage, NPP Tamil MP refuses to step down
BBS storms into Trincomalee as Buddhist monks and hardliners fume
The official response - Trinco Buddha statue built illegal say authorities
Preparations underway at Kodalikallu as Mullaitivu readies for Maaveerar Naal
Kaantha - A meta mystery
Dissanayake claims Trincomalee ‘problem is resolved’ as Buddha statue remains in place
Unanimous council vote sees liquor shops closed to mark Maaveerar Naal
Mannar ends 105-day protest but warns Sri Lankan government must act
Batticaloa MP sounds alarm over Buddhist construction in Vadamunai
‘I will always rep being Tamil’ - Maitreyi Ramakrishnan
Amid growing outrage, NPP Tamil MP refuses to step down
BBS storms into Trincomalee as Buddhist monks and hardliners fume
The official response - Trinco Buddha statue built illegal say authorities
Preparations underway at Kodalikallu as Mullaitivu readies for Maaveerar Naal
Kaantha - A meta mystery
Dissanayake claims Trincomalee ‘problem is resolved’ as Buddha statue remains in place
Unanimous council vote sees liquor shops closed to mark Maaveerar Naal
Mannar ends 105-day protest but warns Sri Lankan government must act
Batticaloa MP sounds alarm over Buddhist construction in Vadamunai