Information
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers about the project, our method, content rights, and how to take part. If your question is not covered here, use the Contact page.
Project and stance
What is Tamil Eelam Story?
Tamil Eelam Story is a documentary editorial portal on the history, culture, memory and diaspora of the Tamils of Eelam (Sri Lanka).
You will find sourced articles, timelines, profiles, a diaspora directory, events and a media library — in French, English and Tamil, depending on what has been published.
Who runs the site, and are you independent?
The site is an independent editorial initiative led by a private individual, with a team and diaspora contributors.
No party, government or organisation validates our content before publication. Any partnerships with associations do not set the editorial line.
What does “Tamil Eelam” mean on this site?
Here, “Tamil Eelam” refers to the historical territory and horizon claimed by part of the Tamil people of Sri Lanka — a documented political, memorial and cultural reality, not a campaign slogan of this site.
We use the term because it structures the memory, sources and vocabulary of the communities concerned. It is not a call to action or a diplomatic recognition.
Why do you use the term “Tamil genocide”?
We use this term in a documentary framework, drawing on timelines, reports, cross-checked testimonies and historiography that describe the sequence of mass violence against Tamils (notably 1983–2009).
This vocabulary is not a court judgment issued by the site: we present facts, ranges and uncertainties, and we point to sources.
Does the site take a political side?
No. Our role is documentary and informational: establish verifiable facts, provide context, and make fragmented narratives accessible.
We do not speak for a party, an armed organisation or a government. Figures and organisations appear as historical subjects, with source attribution.
Rigour, sources and content
How do you select and verify sources?
We prioritise cross-checkable facts: NGO reports, international press, academic work, public documents and corroborated testimonies.
Every publication is reviewed: dates, names, consistency and attribution. Quotes, images and documents carry a source when available.
What if a figure, date or fact differs across sources?
When estimates diverge, we give recognised ranges and flag uncertainty rather than stating a single number without nuance.
If you have a more precise source or a documented correction, use the error report form: requests are handled within 72 business hours.
Why is some content missing in English or Tamil?
Languages are distinct editorial versions, not an automatic translation of the whole site. An article may exist in French before English or Tamil is available.
We expand locales over time; translated pages are linked to each other (hreflang) when a version exists.
How do I report an error or request a correction?
Use the “Report an error” form (typo, date, translation, image, document). You receive an acknowledgement; handling aims for 72 business hours.
For a general question that is not a page correction, prefer the Contact page.
Copyright, citation and reuse
Who holds the rights to texts published on Tamil Eelam Story?
Unless stated otherwise, editorial texts (articles, timelines, analysis, layout) are protected and belong to Tamil Eelam Story or credited authors.
Free reading on the site does not transfer any right of reproduction, adaptation or commercial use.
May I cite an article (school, research, press, social media)?
Yes, for a short quotation for informational, educational or research purposes, provided you clearly credit the source and include the page’s canonical URL.
Example: Author. “Title”. Tamil Eelam Story. URL. Accessed YYYY-MM-DD. A “How to cite” block is available on articles and timelines.
May I republish an article in full or translate it elsewhere?
Not without prior written permission. Full republication, mass scraping, publishing a translation elsewhere, or building corpora from our texts is not allowed by default.
For a licence, editorial partnership or documented exception, contact us: any permission is explicit and limited to the agreed use.
What rights apply to images, video, audio and archive documents?
Media may be subject to third-party rights (photographers, families, institutions, archives). Display on Tamil Eelam Story does not mean they are free to reuse.
Do not reuse an image, video, audio file or PDF off-site without checking rights and, if needed, obtaining rightsholders’ consent. Captions help identify the source; they do not grant a licence.
May I reuse a map, a timeline or an excerpt from a Heroes profile?
A short quotation or a link back to the relevant page is fine, on the same basis as text citation.
Copying an entire timeline, interactive map, biographical profile or structured export for republication elsewhere requires permission. Presented data remains subject to the site’s rights and, where applicable, cited sources.
Take part and stay informed
How do I suggest an association, an event, archives, or join the team?
The Contribute hub gathers the forms: error reports, association or event suggestions, archive donations, editorial applications.
Every proposal is reviewed by the team before publication. Nothing goes live automatically.
How does the newsletter work (sign-up, preferences, unsubscribe)?
The newsletter sends occasional alerts (at most one email per month) about new publications: articles, timelines, events — according to your preferences.
Sign up on the dedicated page; unsubscribe and preferences are one click from email links. No spam.