OUR WORK
Publications
PEARL’s research and analysis is focused on issues affecting the Tamil community in the North-East of Sri Lanka. We have conducted extensive field research on issues such as accountability, militarization, impunity, memorialization and transitional justice. We have published our research in reports which can be found here. PEARL maintains close partnerships with organizations and individual civil society activists across all eight districts of the Tamil homeland. Much of our work would be impossible without their support and resilience in the face of adversity.
Recent Op-Eds & Media Commentary

“A decade without justice for Sri Lanka’s Tamils”
The Diplomat
Statements
2021
- PEARL condemns the arrest of the Mayor of Jaffna, Viswalingam Manivannan, and demands the dropping of all charges [தமிழ்]
- Today’s UNHRC resolution is a step towards justice for Tamils; decisive action beyond the Council still necessary [தமிழ்]
- International Women’s Day: Calling for an End to Gendered Harassment and Violence Against Tamil Women in Political Spheres
- Honoring Meruba
- PEARL amplifies demands from the North-East; reiterates need for justice & accountability ahead of UNHRC46
- PEARL welcomes the united Tamil call for action at the UNHRC [தமிழ்]
2020
- PEARL commemorates Maaveerar Naal; condemns crackdown in North-East [தமிழ்]
- Tamil Right to Remember Must be Respected [தமிழ்]
- PEARL condemns SriLanka’s latest assault on Tamils’ right to remember [தமிழ்]
- Sri Lanka’s compulsory cremation order is an affront to religious sensibilities
- International Women’s Day: Calling for an End to Gendered Harassment and Violence Against Tamil Women in Political Spheres
- PEARL Applauds World Court Decision Order to Prevent Rohingya Genocide
- PEARL welcomes US sanctions against Sri Lankan army chief [தமிழ்]
- Pardoning of Convicted Soldier Further Proof of Necessity for Internationalized Justice
- Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
- Sri Lankan Presidential Task Forces Signal Deepening Militarization
2019
- International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
- International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
- Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
- PEARL condemns Easter attacks
- In Solidarity with those affected by recent events May 4, 2019 (Easter Sunday Attacks)
- Alleged War Criminal’s appointment as Chief of Staff to Sri Lankan Army confirms lack of political will to address accountability and justice
- Justice for the Trinco 5 remains elusive
- Statement Condemning Threats, Harassment and Reprisals against Human Rights Lawyer and Jaffna University Senior Lecturer
2018
- Pearl Demands Justice for Genocide Against Tamils
- Tamil demands remain unchanged
- Prosecutions for Crimes Against Journalists Necessary to Prevent Media Repression
- Tamil Women’s Day: Honoring Strength & Resistance in the Face of Oppression
- Prosecutions and Vetting Needed to End Ongoing Torture in Sri Lanka
- Remembrance, Resistance and Resilience
- Joint Civil Society Statement In Solidarity with Families of Disappeared’ Year-Long Protest
- Remembering the Kumarapuram massacre
- Tamil Diaspora Organizations Redouble Efforts to Prosecute War Criminals & Work for Lasting Peace in Sri Lanka
2017
- Defiance in Remembrance
- Demanding accountability for international crimes committed by Sri Lankan Armed Forces attending 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial Conference in Vancouver
- PEARL Condemns Ongoing Torture & Sexual Violence in Sri Lanka; Urges U.S. Government to Re-Consider its Partnership with Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Must Heed the Call of Victims and Address Disappearances
- The Right to Memorialization of Tamils & Harassment of Tamil Activists Leading Memorialization
- Unrestricted Remembrance Essential for Peace [தமிழ்]
- Sri Lanka’s Draft Counter Terrorism Act: A License for Continued State Oppression, Intimidation and Torture
- INTA Committee, EU Parliament: Call to Reject the EU Commission’s Proposal to Restore GSP+ to Sri Lanka
2016

People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) is 501(c)3 non-profit organization advocating for justice and self-determination for the Tamil people in the North-East of Sri Lanka.
People for Equality and Relief in Lanka
1629 K Street, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006
+1(202)-471-0009
contact@pearlaction.org