theTamilGlobal

Photograph - The Guardian Nearly two decades have passed since the guns fell silent in Nepal, ending a brutal civil war that forever altered the Himalayan nation’s political and social landscape.  From 1996 to 2006, Nepal was gripped by a violent conflict between government forces and Maoist insurgents, a struggle that claimed thousands of lives and culminated in the abolition of the world’s last Hindu monarchy. The Roots of Rebellion The seeds of the conflict were sown in the early 1990s, as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) grew increasingly dissatisfied with the slow pace of democratic reforms and persistent social inequalities.  On February 13, 1996, the Maoists launched their “People’s War,” attacking police posts and government offices in six districts, demanding the end of the monarchy and the creation of a people’s republic. Escalation and Tragedy Initially, the government relied on police to contain the uprising, but as Maoist attacks intensified-targeting rural p...

In a significant move amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following the deadly Pahalgam militant attack, the Indian government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels accused of spreading misinformation and provocative content against India.  The ban targets prominent Pakistani news outlets including Geo News, Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Bol News, which collectively have over 63 million subscribers. India's Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the ban, citing that these channels disseminated “false and misleading narratives” aimed at India, its army, and security agencies.  According to government sources, the banned channels were spreading “provocative and communally sensitive content” that could incite tensions in the already volatile region. In addition to the YouTube channels, India has also taken action against alleged misinformation on social media by blocking the X account of Pakistan’s Defense Minister.  The move comes amid all...

Tensions between South Asia’s nuclear armed neighbors soared Wednesday as Pakistan’s government issued a dramatic warning that India is preparing to launch military action within the next 24 to 36 hours, using the recent Pahalgam attack as a pretext.  The statement, delivered by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, included a series of pointed accusations and a call for international intervention. “Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident,” Tarar said in a statement released late Tuesday.  He denounced what he described as India’s “self-assumed hubristic role of Judge, Jury and Executioner in the region,” calling it “reckless and vehemently rejected”. Tarar emphasized Pakistan’s own history as a victim of terrorism and its consistent condemnation of such acts: “Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism ...

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war.  While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines.  Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted.  Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...

By, Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo Photo Credit- The Economic Times In a significant political development, the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has undergone a major cabinet reshuffle, marked by the induction of Mano Thangaraj as minister and the resignation of two senior ministers, V. Senthil Balaji and Dr. K. Ponmudy, amid mounting legal and political pressures. Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Mano Thangaraj on Monday, following the Chief Minister’s recommendation.  Thangaraj’s return to the cabinet comes at a crucial time as the ruling DMK seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The reshuffle was triggered by the resignations of Senthil Balaji, who held the Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise portfolios, and K. Ponmudy, Minister for Forests and Khadi.  Balaji stepped down after the Supreme Court directed him to choose between retaining his cabinet post and safeguarding his bail in an ongoing money launder...

By, Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo   In a landmark move for Bangladesh’s digital future, the government has officially approved SpaceX’s Starlink to operate as a satellite internet provider in the country.  The decision, announced Monday by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, paves the way for the launch of high-speed, low-latency internet services across Bangladesh, including its most remote and underserved regions. The approval follows months of regulatory review by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which recently established new guidelines for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite operators.  Starlink, a global leader in satellite internet technology founded by Elon Musk, submitted its application in March and has since worked closely with Bangladeshi authorities to meet all requirements. Starlink’s entry is expected to be a game-changer for Bangladesh’s connectivity landscape. The company’s constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites will delive...

By, Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo Hundreds of Buddhist monks and lay followers have intensified their protests at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, demanding exclusive Buddhist control over their holiest shrine.  The movement, which began as a small sit-in in February, has now grown into a nationwide campaign, drawing attention to what protesters call a “historic injustice” and a violation of their religious rights. A Sacred Site Under Dispute The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks the spot where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment over 2,500 years ago.  For Buddhists worldwide, it is the most sacred place of pilgrimage. Yet, under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, the temple’s management is shared equally between Hindus and Buddhists, with the chairperson always a Hindu-typically the District Magistrate of Gaya. “This is the only major religious site in India where the founding faith does not have exclusive control,” said Venerable Bhante Anand, a senior mon...

By,  Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a landmark water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank and signed on September 19, 1960.  Its primary aim is to regulate the use and distribution of the waters of the Indus River system, which is vital for the livelihoods and economies of both countries. Background and Historical Context Following the partition of British India in 1947, both India and Pakistan inherited parts of the vast Indus river system, which flows from Tibet through India into Pakistan and onward to the Arabian Sea.  The division of the rivers and their headworks led to immediate disputes, as upstream India gained control over water sources critical to downstream Pakistan’s agriculture and development. Tensions peaked in 1948 when India temporarily stopped water supplies to Pakistan, prompting international intervention.  The World Bank mediated negotiations, culminating in the Indus Waters Treaty afte...

By,  Miyuru Rasoj Photo Credit- stratheia Pakistan’s textile sector has shown notable resilience and growth in the fiscal year 2025, with textile and apparel exports increasing by 9.38% during the first nine months of the fiscal year.  According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, exports reached $13.62 billion in July-March 2024-25, up from $12.44 billion during the same period last year.  This growth marks a continuation of positive momentum, with March 2025 alone witnessing a 9.97% year-on-year increase to $1.43 billion. Key Drivers of Growth The growth was largely driven by value-added textile segments such as ready made garments, which surged by over 19% in value, alongside significant gains in woven garments and bedwear exports. Bedwear exports alone rose 19% year-on-year to $256 million in March 2025.  These segments have benefited from increased global demand, particularly from Western markets, as inflation eases and consumer spending recovers. Despite...

By, Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo Photo Credit- One Ville News   On April 25, 2025, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry issued a rebuttal to India’s accusations linking Pakistan to the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian-Controlled-Kashmir.  In an official statement, the minister condemned the incident as a “calculated conspiracy” by India and accused New Delhi of conducting repeated false flag operations to deceive the international community. Minister Chaudhry emphasized Pakistan’s firm stance on defense, warning that the country’s security is “impregnable” and cautioning India not to harbor any illusions about Pakistan’s capabilities.  He accused India of orchestrating “fake narratives” to cover up its brutalities in Indian administered Kashmir, stating that India’s “deceit and manipulations now stand fully exposed.” “The false flag operation has laid bare the ugly face of India before the world,” Chaudhry said, “proving once again t...

By, Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo On April 25, 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that it has reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lankan authorities on the Fourth Review of the country’s reform program under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).  This agreement marks a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery and reform efforts following the severe financial crisis it faced three years ago. Key Details of the Agreement The agreement covers economic policies designed to conclude the Fourth Review of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s 48 month EFF arrangement, which was initially approved in March 2023 for about SDR 2.3 billion (approximately US$3 billion). Once the IMF Executive Board approves this review, Sri Lanka will gain access to roughly US$344 million in new financing, bringing the total IMF disbursement under this program to about US$1.72 billion. The approval is contingent upon Sri Lanka implementing prior action...

By, Miyuru Rasoj   The results of the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination have just been officially released today, April 26, 2025, according to the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.  This marks a significant milestone for over 330,000 candidates who sat for the exam last year, with students, parents, and educators across the country eagerly awaiting this announcement. Exam Overview The 2024 A/L exam was conducted from November 25 to December 31, 2024, at more than 2,300 examination centers nationwide. A total of approximately 333,185 candidates participated, including both school and private candidates12. The exam is a critical gateway for university admissions and future academic and career opportunities in Sri Lanka3. How to Check Your Results Students can access their results through several official channels: Online: Visit the Department of Examinations websites:  www.doenets.lk  or  www.results.exams.gov.lk , and enter your index n...

By, Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo Photo Credit: Indian Express Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged gunfire along the highly militarized and disputed Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir late Thursday, intensifying already heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.  The incident follows a deadly attack earlier in the week in Indian administered Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, most of them domestic tourists, and has triggered a diplomatic crisis between New Delhi and Islamabad. Details of the Border Clash According to Indian officials, Pakistani troops initiated the firing at an Indian position along the LoC, prompting Indian forces to retaliate.  The exchange was brief and, notably, resulted in no reported casualties.  Both sides have confirmed the incident, though Pakistani officials did not immediately comment on who started the gunfire.  Indian sources described the firing as "speculative" and said their response was "effective". No civilian areas ...

By, Miyuru Rasoj   The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka, is currently hosting a historic exposition of the revered Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, an event that has drawn extraordinary crowds and tested the limits of the city’s infrastructure and emergency services.  This special exposition, the first in 16 years, began on April 18, 2025, and is scheduled to continue through April 27, offering devotees a rare opportunity to pay homage to one of Buddhism’s most sacred artifacts. Massive Pilgrim Turnout The scale of public devotion is unprecedented: over 450,000 people have already visited the temple to witness the exposition, with daily attendance figures soaring to 150,000 on the busiest days.  Organizers expect total attendance to reach as high as two million by the end of the event.  To accommodate the surge, temple authorities have extended viewing hours from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and opened three new access routes to help manage the flow of pil...