Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

Three thousand years deep - Evidence uncovers Velanai's ancient seafarers
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…

Topography of terror and exile

Nov 26, 2014
Sinthujan Varatharajah

Jaffna Municipal Council hackers leave message celebrating LTTE leader's birthday

Nov 26, 2014
The website of the Jaffna Municipal Council was hacked on Wednesday, displaying a message celebrating the 60th birthday of LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran.

The image, posted on Wednesday, featured Prabhakaran's photograph and the words “Happy Birthday Karikaalan,” a reference to the name he was also known as.

No bells must toll today warns army, as North-East under military siege on Maaveerar Naal

Nov 26, 2014
Updated 10:38 GMT

Photograph @Tharu1985


The Sri Lankan army have warned Tamils across the North-East that no temple or church bells must toll today, as the Tamil nation marks its remembrance day - Maaveerar Naal, the local newspaper, Uthayan, reported.

Photograph Uthayan


Sri Lankan military personnel and police officers have been deployed across the Tamil homeland. The main town of Jaffna has been particularly affected, with Jaffna University, Nalloor temple and the main teaching hospital, under effective siege.

"The army is stationed at every street and lane, so much so that the place is looking like war zone, and everyone who goes past is subjected to an interrogation," the Uthayan noted.

Uthayan remembers fallen heroes

Nov 26, 2014
Marking the Tamil national remembrance day today amid military warnings against any act of remembrance, the Jaffna based newspaper, Uthayan, published a full page remembrance message on the second page of its print edition.

"We bow our heads in memory of our heroes who gave their lives to protect the rights of the people," the message read, depicting two hands holding a lit lamp. The message was also published online on the Uthayan's website.

Uthayan print edition 27 Nov 2014, page 2

Tamils will remember their dead in the face of SL state oppression - Ananthi Sasitharan

Nov 26, 2014
The memories of Tamils who dedicated their lives towards the Tamil people’s liberation will not be erased despite the Sri Lankan state’s relentless efforts to do so, said Ananthy Sasitharan.



Candles lit in North-East to mark Maaveerar Naal

Nov 26, 2014
Updated 15:30 GMT

 
Photograph: Lamps being lit at a home in Jaffna.
Tamil Guardian

Maaveerar Naal was commemorated in secret on Thursday in the North-East, despite heavy military presence all over the region.

A source at one Jaffna event held in a private location told Tamil Guardian, “this is not an advertising stunt. Just to tell the world, that still our feelings, as Tamils, are alive.”

Maaveerar remembered at Jaffna University

Nov 26, 2014
Students at the University of Jaffna marked Maaveerar Naal in secret, despite a heavy military presence around the campus.

Photograph: Uthayan

Soldiers and police were gathered around a memorial monument in the university grounds where they expected students to attempt to light a ceremonious flame.

British Tamils commemorate Maveerar Naal

Nov 26, 2014

Thousands of British Tamils gathered at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London on Thursday, to commemorate the nation's day of remembrance - Maaveerar Naal.

The event began with the ceremonious lighting of a flame of remembrance, coinciding with the death of the first Tamil cadre killed in the struggle against Sri Lankan state oppression.

The ceremonial flame was lit by the mother of Isaipriya, a Tamil news anchor and journalist who was killed in May 2009.

See our live tweets here.
 
 
Photographs: Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC)

In London, British Tamils from across began the event with the ceremonious lighting of remembrance flames to coincide with the death of the first Tamil cadre killed in the fight against Sri Lankan state oppression.

Mullaitivu councillor marks Maaveerar Naal

Nov 26, 2014

Northern Provincial Council member Thurairasa Ravikaran led a Maaveerar Naal tribute in Mullaithivu. Ravikaran was joined by over fifteen citizens, including the mother of a Maaveerar.

Conscripted Tamil women raped by Sri Lankan military

Nov 25, 2014
Tamil women, who were recently conscripted into the Sri Lankan military, were taken from Mullaitheevu to a Sri Lankan military party in Mihintale and raped on Saturday, reports Tamilnet.

After being returned to their original areas, the Tamil women’s complaints to the Sri Lankan police were ignored, whilst being belittled by the Sri Lankan military Civil Security Department (CSD).

Jaffna Municipal Council hackers leave message celebrating LTTE leader's birthday
No bells must toll today warns army, as North-East under military siege on Maaveerar Naal
Uthayan remembers fallen heroes
Tamils will remember their dead in the face of SL state oppression - Ananthi Sasitharan
Candles lit in North-East to mark Maaveerar Naal
Maaveerar remembered at Jaffna University
British Tamils commemorate Maveerar Naal
Mullaitivu councillor marks Maaveerar Naal
Conscripted Tamil women raped by Sri Lankan military
Three arrests over Maaveerar Naal posters
Jaffna Municipal Council hackers leave message celebrating LTTE leader's birthday
No bells must toll today warns army, as North-East under military siege on Maaveerar Naal
Uthayan remembers fallen heroes
Tamils will remember their dead in the face of SL state oppression - Ananthi Sasitharan
Candles lit in North-East to mark Maaveerar Naal
Maaveerar remembered at Jaffna University
British Tamils commemorate Maveerar Naal
Mullaitivu councillor marks Maaveerar Naal
Conscripted Tamil women raped by Sri Lankan military
Three arrests over Maaveerar Naal posters