Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Bharatanatyam world record in Colombo sparks row over recognition and costs
A Guinness World Record set by nearly 5,000 Bharatanatyam dancers at Galle Face in Colombo has sparked controversy, after activists questioned why the official recognition was awarded to organisers and an overseas instructor rather than the thousands of performers who paid to take part. The SANGAMAM-2026 event, held on 14 June, saw 4,988 dancers successfully set a new Guinness World Record for…

Batticaloa justice walk marks 1,030 days

Mar 12, 2025
Vanapitha Peiris asserts that the government continues to ignore the concerns of the North and East, as the Batticaloa Justice Walk reaches its 1,030th day

Former Sri Lankan soldier rapes doctor at hospital in shocking assault

Mar 12, 2025
A former Sri Lankan military officer has been arrested after he reportedly raped a female doctor at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, in a crime that has left many across the island outraged.

Duterte’s Sri Lankan connection

Mar 11, 2025

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has left Manila for The Hague, hours after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him over crimes against humanity linked to his brutal “war on drugs”, which saw as many as 30,000 people killed. 

While Duterte now faces international prosecution, we examine Sri Lanka’s past associations with his policies and his government’s opposition to international accountability efforts.

Sri Lanka’s endorsement of Duterte’s brutality

BBS monk claims 'suicide fighters' have infiltrated Sri Lankan government

Mar 11, 2025
Gnanasara Thero claims extremist groups have infiltrated both the NPP and the Sri Lankan government, warning of a potential threat to national security

Buddhist monks march in Jaffna, with a helping hand from the navy

Mar 11, 2025
A state-backed Buddhist pilgrimage that saw 52 monks from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos marching from the Tissamaharama Rajamaha Viharaya to the Nagadeepa Rajamaha Vihara in Jaffna has been met with criticism from locals, as concerns mount over the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland.

What is the Batalanda Report?

Mar 11, 2025
Following a disastrous interview with Al Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan by former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Batalanda report and his role in facilitating torture has come into the spotlight. We take a look at the report and at Wickremesinghe’s alleged role.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament

Mar 11, 2025
The Sri Lankan Cabinet has confirmed that the Batalanda Commission Report will be presented to Parliament this week, after a disastrous interview by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Al Jazeera aired last week.

Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings

Mar 10, 2025
The leader of a far right, ultranationalist Buddhist organisation claimed on Thursday that he knew the identity of the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which claimed the lives of 270 people, including many foreign tourists.

Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP

Mar 10, 2025
The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a paramilitary group that was once closely linked to the Rajapaksas has reportedly refused to contest under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lotus symbol, leaving the party scrambling to find alternative partners in the Tamil homeland. 

Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains

Mar 10, 2025
The Jaffna court has appointed a five-member committee to oversee security at Ariyalai cemetery following the discovery of human skeletal remains
Batticaloa justice walk marks 1,030 days
Former Sri Lankan soldier rapes doctor at hospital in shocking assault
Duterte’s Sri Lankan connection
BBS monk claims 'suicide fighters' have infiltrated Sri Lankan government
Buddhist monks march in Jaffna, with a helping hand from the navy
What is the Batalanda Report?
Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament
Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings
Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP
Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains
Batticaloa justice walk marks 1,030 days
Former Sri Lankan soldier rapes doctor at hospital in shocking assault
Duterte’s Sri Lankan connection
BBS monk claims 'suicide fighters' have infiltrated Sri Lankan government
Buddhist monks march in Jaffna, with a helping hand from the navy
What is the Batalanda Report?
Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament
Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings
Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP
Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains