Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Transfer of Jaffna judge raises fresh fears over pressure on the judiciary
A.G. Alexraja The Jaffna Bar Association has written to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing "complete disbelief and shock" over the transfer of Jaffna High Court Judge A. G. Alexraja, while the Northern Province Governor's Office has denied any connection to the move. In a letter dated 30 May, the Jaffna Bar Association said Judge Alexraja, who was appointed to the High…

When Douglas Devananda walked free through the United Nations

Jan 9, 2026
Thusiyan Nandakumar
I have only seen Douglas Devandanda in person once in my life. It was in the most unusual of places.

Sri Lanka renews sweeping ban on Tamil diaspora groups in latest terror gazette

Jan 9, 2026

gazette

The Sri Lanka government has issued a new extraordinary gazette renewing and extending its long-running ban on several Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, continuing to designate them as “terrorists”.

Who is Douglas Devananda? Inside Sri Lanka’s state-backed paramilitary figure

Jan 9, 2026
Devananda’s career spans decades of Sri Lanka’s genocide against Tamils, marked by close alignment with the state and repeated ministerial appointments, as he was shielded from accountability for grave human rights violations.

EPDP leader Douglas Devananda granted bail in firearm–underworld probe

Jan 9, 2026
Former Sri Lankan minister and leader of the paramilitary Eelam People’s Democratic Party Douglas Devananda has been granted bail by the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court, following his remand in connection with an investigation into the alleged transfer of a military issued firearm to an organised criminal.

‘You are killing cinema’ – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion

Jan 8, 2026
Tamil film Salliyargal has been released directly on an over-the-top streaming platform, bypassing a theatrical release, in protest against what its makers describe as systematic denial of screens for films centred on the Tamil Eelam struggle.

Murdered journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge commemorated in Batticaloa

Jan 8, 2026
Journalists in Batticaloa commemorated murdered Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge earlier today, marking 17 years since he was gunned down in Colombo, amid renewed outrage over the state’s refusal to deliver justice.

British-Tamil football player speaks on her success at the Deaflympics

Jan 8, 2026
Tharanika Ahillan

Lucindha Lawson, a British-Tamil deaf football player from London, who won Bronze at the 2025 Deaflympics spoke to the Tamil Guardian about her medal winning journey.

The 34-year-old brought home the medal from Tokyo last month as part of the Great Britain (GB) Deaf Women’s Football team. 

From drones to court cases: Sri Lanka’s surveillance grow against Tamil protesters in Thaiyiddy

Jan 8, 2026
Sri Lankan police recorded the personal and vehicle details of Tamils attending the monthly protest against the military-backed Thaiyiddy vihara on Wednesday, raising fresh fears of surveillance and future crackdowns against those opposing the occupation of Tamil-owned land.

Tamil temple still denied land and access as governor urged to intervene

Jan 8, 2026
Vanni District Member of Parliament P. Sathiyalingam has called on the Governor of the Northern Province N. Vedhanayagan to take immediate steps to release the land and access road belonging to the historic Veddukkunaari Malai Adi Lingeswarar Temple, amid continuing restrictions on Tamil religious practice in the region.

British Tamils protest at Downing Street to condemn Sri Lanka’s arrests

Jan 8, 2026
A protest was held in Britain last week condemning the arrest of five Tamils, including religious leader Velan Swamigal, during protests against the illegal construction of a Buddhist vihara at Thaiyiddy in the Tamil homeland.
When Douglas Devananda walked free through the United Nations
Sri Lanka renews sweeping ban on Tamil diaspora groups in latest terror gazette
Who is Douglas Devananda? Inside Sri Lanka’s state-backed paramilitary figure
EPDP leader Douglas Devananda granted bail in firearm–underworld probe
‘You are killing cinema’ – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion
Murdered journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge commemorated in Batticaloa
British-Tamil football player speaks on her success at the Deaflympics
From drones to court cases: Sri Lanka’s surveillance grow against Tamil protesters in Thaiyiddy
Tamil temple still denied land and access as governor urged to intervene
British Tamils protest at Downing Street to condemn Sri Lanka’s arrests
When Douglas Devananda walked free through the United Nations
Sri Lanka renews sweeping ban on Tamil diaspora groups in latest terror gazette
Who is Douglas Devananda? Inside Sri Lanka’s state-backed paramilitary figure
EPDP leader Douglas Devananda granted bail in firearm–underworld probe
‘You are killing cinema’ – Support for Salliyargal as Eelam Tamil stories face exclusion
Murdered journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge commemorated in Batticaloa
British-Tamil football player speaks on her success at the Deaflympics
From drones to court cases: Sri Lanka’s surveillance grow against Tamil protesters in Thaiyiddy
Tamil temple still denied land and access as governor urged to intervene
British Tamils protest at Downing Street to condemn Sri Lanka’s arrests