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…

Illegal sand miners assault and hospitalise Tamil man

A Tamil man was assaulted while confronting illegal sand miners on his land, last month.

China and Sri Lanka look to strengthen defence ties

Bilateral trade discussions were held between China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, and accused war criminal, Kamal Gunaratne, following the passage of a UN resolution which raised concerns over military impunity in Sri Lanka.

In these discussions, Fenghe expressed interest for China  “to enhance practical cooperation and to promote bilateral relations to a greater extent” and highlighted existing military ties between the two countries.

Human Rights

Sri Lanka's Cabinet approves proposal for burqa ban

Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved a proposal to ban the burqa, as discrimination against Muslims continues to rise on the island. 

Last month, Sri Lanka's Minister for Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara, submitted the proposal on the grounds of "national security" and claimed that the burqa us a "sign of religious extremism."

Slain journalist Sivaram remembered across the North-East

Memorial events were held across the North-East to mark the 16th anniversary of murdered Tamil journalist, Dharmeratnam Sivaram. 

Missing bombs – Controversy after Sri Lankan artillery fire removed from Mullivaikkal memorial

The 'reconstructed' monument unveiled last week, missing sculptures of Sri Lankan shells landing on the outstretched arms.

As authorities at the University of Jaffna unveiled a supposedly reconstructed monument to those massacred at Mullivaikkal last week, there was controversy as key elements of the memorial depicting Sri Lankan military shelling had been entirely removed.

Valvettithurai police recover explosives allegedly belonging to the LTTE

Valvettithurai Police recovered LTTE explosives in Puthuvalavu near Polikandi, early Saturday morning.

Canada rejects accused Sri Lankan war criminal as high commissioner

Accused War Criminal, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias

Former Air Force Commander, and accused war criminal, Sumanagala Dias has had his placement as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Canada rejected, as the Canadian government did not agree to his appointment following protests lodged by Tamil Canadians and parliamentarians alike calling to reject the ‘Génocidaire’.

Jaffna Nachimar Temple chairman arrested over chariot festival 

The Sri Lankan police have arrested the chairman and secretary of the Nachimar Temple, Jaffna based on allegations that the celebration of the annual chariot festival that took place on Sunday violated the COVID-19 restrictions in place in the country.        

Teenager killed in Mullaitivu explosion

An explosion near the Vadduvakal bridge in Mullaitivu killed one Tamil teenager and severely injured another young man yesterday. 

Kumarasamy Chandramohan, aged 19, died on the spot while Selvakumar Sayantharoopan, aged 20, wad sent to Jaffna Teaching hospital for intensive care treatment. 

Sri Lankan army attempts to reoccupy released land in Jaffna

The Sri Lankan army has erected sign boards claiming ownership of private lands in Kankesanthurai (KKS) which were released to the owners in 2018 after 27 years of occupation as a 'high security zone' (HSZ).