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…

Ten Tamils detained for 7 months for commemorating Mullivaikkal genocide released on bail

Ten Tamils who were arrested under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), for commemorating the Mullivaikkal genocide, were released on bail this morning by Valaichenai court. 

Jaffna mayor reopens historic Ariyakulam tank

Jaffna Mayor Viswalingam Manivannan opened the restored Ariyakulam tank, renovated with the financial assistance the Thiyahie Charitable Trust (TCT), as part of the mayors "Pure City" initiative. 

‘Eelamplay’ - Special Eelam Tamil streaming platform to be launched

A subscription-based streaming platform tailored towards Eelam Tamils is set to be launched in January 2022. A venture devoted to the portrayal of the Eelam Tamil homeland on screen, Eelamplay will feature nearly fifty short films, full-length movies and documentaries that have been made so far on Eelam Tamils, right from its launch. 

India cracks the whip in Sri Lanka?

The Indian government has looked to expand several projects in the Tamil homeland, according to the latest press reports, as Sri Lanka’s finance minister Basil Rajapaksa faced criticism over his visit to New Delhi last week with claims that he “went to beg from India”.

Rajapaksa’s visit came as Sri Lanka sought crucial financial support from India amidst a deepening economic crisis and growing tensions between the neighbours.

He agreed a four-point economic plan with New Delhi, which alongside the offer of a much-needed currency swap to assist Sri Lanka during its financial crisis, also included “facilitating Indian investments in different sectors in Sri Lanka” and an agreement to develop the Trincomalee Tank Farm – a reversal from a previous Sri Lankan position.

Kilinochchi farmers warn harvest could be worse today than during armed conflict

Farmers in Kilinochchi have warned that the upcoming harvest may be worse than during the decades of armed conflict, according to a report in The Hindu, after the Sri Lankan government banned chemical fertilisers.

Muthu Sivamohan, a Tamil farmer leader in northern Kilinochchi described the uncertainty due to the chemical fertiliser ban of this year's paddy yield to "two other periods of crisis".

Sri Lankan government officials resume excavation for LTTE gold in Mullaitivu

Excavations resumed in Suthanthirapuram, Mullaitivu where government ministers are in search of LTTE gold.

Excavation work was started by Sri Lankan police on 2 December. Mullaitivu court judge R. Saravanaraja was also present as the works began.

India's Adani group to develop USD $1 billion renewable energy project in Mannar

India's Adani group have submitted a proposal to the Board of Investments of Sri Lanka (BOI) and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to develop a USD $1 billion renewable wind power project in Mannar. 

The Adani group has proposed to develop a 1,000 MW wind energy project in Mannar and has also expressed interest in a second wind energy project in Poonakary - situated in the Northern Province. 

Fishermen conduct signature drive against use of trawlers

Organised by the National Fisheries Cooperation Movement and the Northern Province Fishermen's Association, Mullaitivu District Fishermen's Associations and the general public participated in a signature drive in front of the Mullaitivu Market on Friday. 

The fishermen are gathering support for their demand to implement a law that proscribes the use of trawlers as it affects local fishermen. 

Sri Lankan soldiers apologise to Tamil journalist after initially denying assault

The Sri Lankan soldiers who attacked a Tamil journalist, Vishvalingam Vishvachandran, in Mullivaikkal during Maaveerar Naal have confessed to committing the assault and apologised to the victim after the military initially claimed that the assault was "unverified, exaggerated and factually incorrect."

The apology was tendered in the presence of Crime Prevention Department officials on November 30, following which the soldiers were released with the consent of Vishvachandran, the complainant. 

CPJ calls on Sri Lankan authorities to open a new and impartial investigation into army attack on Tamil journalist

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Sri Lankan authorities to "immediately open a new, impartial investigation" into the attack on Tamil journalist Vishwalingham Vishwachandran. 

Last week, four Sri Lankan military personnel viciously attacked the Mullaitivu journalist for taking a photo of a Mullivaikkal road sign. The Lanka Sri journalist was thrown against barbed wire and was admitted to Mullaitivu hospital for his injuries.