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Tamil Times
CategoriesNews
FrequencyMonthly
Formatpaper size
FounderN. S. Kandiah, S. Navaratnam, P. Ragunathan, P. Rajanayagam, C. J. T. Thamotheram and R. Thayaparan
First issueOctober 1981 (1981-10)
Final issue
Number		December 2006
Volume XXV Issue 12
CompanyTamil Times Limited
CountryUnited Kingdom
Based inSutton
ISSN0266-4488
OCLC13999855

The Tamil Times was an English language British monthly news magazine focusing on Sri Lankan Tamil issues. Founded in 1981, the magazine was published from Sutton and distributed worldwide to the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora. It ceased publication in 2006.

History

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The Tamil Times was founded in 1981 by N. S. Kandiah, S. Navaratnam, P. Ragunathan, P. Rajanayagam, C. J. T. Thamotheram and R. Thayaparan.[1] Thamotheram was managing director of the magazine as well as its editor.[2] The first edition of the paper was published in October 1981.[3][4] The magazine's publisher, Tamil Times Limited, was incorporated on 10 November 1981.[5] The magazine was later edited by Rajanayagam.[6]

Developments in Sri Lanka led to divergent perspectives among the magazine's editors, with some supporting militant Tamil nationalism while others like the main editor P. Rajanayagam were critical of it. By 1987, Rajanayagam’s perspective had won, following the resignation of C. J. T. Thamotheram over disagreements. Rajanayagam continued as the editor until January 2006. Rajanayagam’s editorials were read with interest by various representatives of governments, members of the human rights groups, journalists and academics.[7][2][4][8][1]

In its early years the Tamil Times became a crucial source of news about the Sri Lankan Civil War for the growing Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, particularly as the Sri Lankan government heavily censored local media outlets.[1] The Sri Lankan government published the free-circulation Sri Lankan Times to compete with the Tamil Times.[1]

In the 1990s new news outlets started appearing among the diaspora community. Many of these were controlled or influenced by the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which had a strong presence among the diaspora. The Tamil Times however maintained its independence.[9][10] The August 1999 issue of Tamil Times was devoted entirely to the assassination of Neelan Tiruchelvam, widely blamed on the LTTE.[11]

With falling circulation the Tamil Times ceased publication in late 2006. Tamil Times Limited was dissolved on 13 August 2008.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Navaratnam, S. (4 October 2011). "Mr P Rajanayagam: A Journalist with Commitment and Principles". Sri Lanka Guardian.
  2. ^ a b "London based Tamil Foundation to intensify activities in the LTTE controlled Vanni". Asian Tribune. 11 July 2004.
  3. ^ "Thamotheram, social activist, passes away". TamilNet. 1 November 2005.
  4. ^ a b Rajanayagam, P. (4 September 2008). "A Tribute to Mr N S Kandiah". Sri Lanka Guardian.
  5. ^ "Tamil Times Limited". Company Check.
  6. ^ Swamy, M. R. Narayan (2010). The Tiger Vanquished: LTTE's Story. SAGE Publications. p. 91. ISBN 978-81-321-0459-9.
  7. ^ Rajasingam, Nirmala (25 June 2022). "The Man P. Rajanayagam was – Remembered by Nirmala Rajasingam". The Island. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  8. ^ Senewiratne, Brian (1 November 2005). "C. J. T. Thamotheram: an End of an Era". Tamil Nation.
  9. ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (13 March 2005). "Tigers exposed through Jeyadevan affair". The Sunday Leader.
  10. ^ R., Srikanthan (23 January 2007). "LTTE domination in the United Kingdom". Daily News.
  11. ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (12 September 1999). "Dr. Tiruchelvam and the tragedy of Tamils: Tamil conscience warped by Kynsey Road explosion". The Sunday Times.
  12. ^ "Supplement". The London Gazette (821652): 680. 19 August 2008.
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