Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

A newly published study has identified the earliest scientifically confirmed evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back around 3,460 years and overturning an erroneous long-held Sri Lankan assumption that the region was largely uninhabited until much later. The study, published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology and led by…

Tamil civil society outline demands of P2P protest to UN (*UPDATED*)

Tamil civil society organisations across the North-East outlined the demands of the Pottuvil to Polikandy protesters in a letter to the United Nations. 

In their appeal to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), they highlighted that they will be participating in a peaceful walk from Pottuvil to Polikandi  to draw attention to key issues faced by the Tamil community in their homeland.

Jaffna University declares Sri Lankan Independence Day as 'black day'


Students at the University of Jaffna joined Tamils across the North-East in declaring Sri Lanka's 73rd Independence Day as a 'black day'. 

A banner was erected on one of the campus gates as Tamils in the North-East raised black flags across the North-East, marking the day as a day of protest.

TNA MP Sumanthiran highlights the demands of P2P protesters

TNA MP, MA Sumanthiran, marching alongside protesters has released a statement highlighting the demands of demonstrators.

These include the release of Tamil political protesters, raising the salary of estate workers to a thousand rupees; and raising attention to the international community of Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses.

 

French Tamils establish genocide exhibition on SL Independence Day

Marking Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, French Tamils established a genocide exhibition in front of the French National Assembly to raise awareness of the Tamil genocide.

#GenocideSriLanka trending in Canada, France, and UK

On Sri Lanka’s Independence Day, Tamils across the globe have rejected the day and taken to social media to raise awareness of the Tamil genocide.

Criticism mounts over British Foreign Secretary’s Sri Lankan independence message

 Responding to the British Foreign Secretary’s, Dominic Raab’s, Sri Lankan independence message a number of prominent Tamil activists have criticised the message and highlighting the Tamil Genocide.

TYO UK slammed the message maintaining that Sri Lanka was not a “state that should be celebrated”. On Twitter they stated:

‘France must speak out loud and clear for justice and freedom in Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council’ – French MP, Sébastien Nadot

Sébastien Nadot, the MP for Haute-Garonne stated that France must “speak out loud and clear for justice and freedom in Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council” in a tweet as he joined the #GenocideSriLanka campaign, and showcased his question in French parliament to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, on France’s stance at the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session.

‘Impunity has prevailed since independence’ – Canadian MP Gary Anandasangaree express solidarity with Tamil protesters

German Tamils demand accountability for Sri Lankan war crimes on Sri Lankan Independence Day

Rallying outside Germany’s Foreign Office, approximately 300-400 German Tamils demanded that their government reject a “friendly” resolution with Sri Lanka at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session and hold the Rajapaksa regime accountable for the war crimes committed.

Tamil families of disappeared launch hunger strike in Mullaitivu as Sri Lanka celebrates 'Independence Day' 

Tamil families of the disappeared have launched a hunger strike in Mullaitivu marking Sri Lanka's 73rd Independence Day as a 'black day' as they continue to demand to know the whereabouts of their forcibly disappeared loved ones. 

Families of the disappeared raised black flags today in protest against Sri Lanka's 'Independence Day' and called on the international community to ensure justice and accountability for the Tamil victim-survivor community.