Tamils remember Maaveerar in North-East despite SL military violence and intmidation

27 November 2013

After braving the Sri Lankan government's intimidatory measures in the run up to Maaveerar Naal, Eelam Tamils across the North-East, defied government bans to remember those that lost their lives in the struggle against genocide, whilst facing further intimidation and violence. 
(Pictures:Tamilnet)

Families of Maaveerar remember the sacrifice of their loved ones

Memorial ceremonies for the Maaveerar  were held in Jaffna, Vanni, Mannar and Mulaththeevu amidst attempts by military personnel to prevent any such occurrences.

NPC Councillor Thurairasa Ravikaran lights remembrance flame in Mullaitheevu

In Jaffna, the government forced closure of Universities during November, did not stop students from remembering the dead. As Sri Lankan military personnel gathered around Jaffna University to prevent any spontaneous remembrance events, the students and public, in an act of defiance, lit a remembrance flame from one of the tallest buildings in Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Ignoring the closure of the university closure, students mobilised within the university premise to light another remembrance flame.

Students light remembrance flames within Jaffna University

A group of students also bypassed Sri Lankan military to light a remembrance flame at a recently destroyed Maaveerar cemetery in Vadamaraachi. According to Tamilnet the people within the area faced an immediate backlash and were indiscriminately beaten by the military.

Maaveerar commemorated in Valikaamam North displaced persons camp

Sri Lankan military also entered and smashed light bulbs of houses in Kaddaikkadu, after a memorial flame was lit in the town’s public grounds.

A councillor of Mullaitheevu in the Northern Provincial Council, held a memorial service with families of Maaverar in an undisclosed location.

Mannar saw over 60 people gather ceremoniously amidst intimidation from Sri Lankan Military and Police, resulting in the arrest of at least 3 Tamils that attempted to commemorate their dead.

Maveerar memorial in Mannar