Tamils across the North-East today marked 31 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his fast unto death, demanding the Indian government upheld its promises to the Tamil people.
Over 100,000 people gathered at the Nallur temple in Jaffna on September 15, 1987 to hear his words as he began the hunger strike.
Nallur
Residents and political figures gathered today at the Thileepan memorial in Nallur.
Northern Provincial Council (NPC) member, C V K Sivagnanam, leader of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, former LTTE cadres, Jaffna university students and local residents participated in the event.
The main lamp was lit by the sister of a Black Tiger.
Batticaloa
Residents in Valachenai, Batticaloa held an awareness event today in Thileepan's memory.
Holding posters and placards residents demanded justice and accountability for the genocide of Tamils by the Sri Lankan state forces.
A memorial was also held at a destroyed LTTE cemetery (Thuyilum Illam) in the district in Mavadi Munmari.
Jaffna University
Students and staff at the University of Jaffna today held a memorial event on the university grounds, lighting candles of remembrance.
Mullaitivu
In Mullaitivu, two remembrance events were held, one at the office of the NPC member T Ravikaran in Kallappadu and another organised by the TNPF.
Karaveddy, Jaffna
Karaveedy Divisional Secretariat held a remembrance event at its office today, with local political figures as well as the Tamil National Alliance MP, M A Sumanthiran in attendance.
Theevakam (Islets) - Velanai
A service was held in Velanai for the residents of the islets. Organisers reported harassment from Sri Lankan intelligence personnel and that some Tamils were intercepted and turned away by intelligence officers stationed at the roads into Velanai Island.
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