On November 27, communities in northern and eastern Sri Lanka peacefully commemorated combatants who died in the civil war. Despite the bad weather, they placed flowers, candles and fruits at the Maaveerar Thuyilam Illam, the resting places. The new government did not impose any restrictions. Colombo businessman Muthukumara told : “They are human beings. We must preserve this peace”
Colombo () – Flowers, lamps, candles, coconuts and fruits are the offerings made on November 27 to those killed in the war, according to Tamil tradition. Despite heavy rains and the threat of Cyclone Fengal, communities in the north and east celebrated “Maaveerar Naal”, the day to remember the victims of the conflict that ended in 2009, by lighting lamps and reciting prayers. solemn It is the first time in 15 years that Tamil populations freely commemorate their dead. Many people in the south told that peaceful commemoration “is a Tamil right.” Unlike previous years, the new National People’s Power government did not impose restrictions or attempt to prevent them with legal measures.
Families who lost loved ones gathered for communal prayers at resting places called “Maaveerar Thuyilam Illam”, cemeteries of the war dead, and in temples and churches. They also built structures supported by poles to allow people to gather to pay tribute to those who fought for the liberation of their traditional homeland in the north and east of Sri Lanka, between 1983 and 2009, in the ranks of the Tigers of the Liberation of the Tamil Homeland (LTTE). According to journalists working in the northern and eastern provinces, they visited more than 200 cemeteries located in almost all the northern and eastern districts.
Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources in the new Dissanayake-led government, said the government will not put limitations on those who want to celebrate ‘Maaveerar Naal’, asserting that they have the right to do so. Hundreds of people gathered at the “Thuyilum Illam” in Kanagapuram and decorated the place with red and yellow flags that witnesses said were fluttering in the rain and wind. Similar events were held at Mullaitivu Theravil, Mannar Atkattivali and Jaffna Kodikamam cemeteries, with friends and family, including children.
Fifteen years after the end of the civil war, which ended with the defeat of the Tigers for the liberation of the Tamil homeland, the parents of those who lost their lives against the Sri Lankan army and were buried in the Theravil cemetery, are They were present to pay their respects to their sons and daughters. In Jaffna and the eastern part of Batticaloa, Tamils peacefully went to the Tharavai cemetery and the Eastern University campus. Many people were present with flowers, candles and incense sticks.
Events were also organized in Tharmapuram, Killinochi district, Koppai “Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam” and Jaffna University. In Mullaitivu, uniformed soldiers and police did not prevent preparations for Maaveerar Day, but the organizing committee reported that intelligence was carrying out continued surveillance and intimidation. Even in Mullivaikkal, where the last battle took place, parents of the war dead, their relatives, former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Territory (LTTE) and the general public gathered, braving the torrential rain, and they paid solemn tributes.
Some politicians from the northern and eastern provinces also joined the commemorations organized in their respective areas. Such as Tamil National People’s Front leader and Jaffna district MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Batticaloa MP Shanakkiyan Rasamanikkam, Vanni district MP and Tamil National Democratic Alliance leader Selvam Adaikalanathan.
“We in the south and also the previous governments considered this anniversary as a major terrorist act by the Tamils. That was a big mistake. They are all human beings, those who died also have relatives. “If a man won’t allow another man to commemorate his fallen relatives, who will?” he tells Namal Muthukumara, a businessman from Colombo. “We are happy, just this year we have not heard of any court order or harassment by the police and the army against people who commemorate this day. This government should move forward taking care of peace.” Mala Karunaseeli, a woman who works in a private company in Colombo, also told : “When will the people of this country forgive and shake hands with the remaining innocent Tamils in the north and east? “People should forget the mistakes of the past and unite in peace for the good of all human beings.”
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