^{Aalankulam Thuyilum Illam, Trincomalee} 

Thousands of Eelam Tamils worldwide commemorated Maaveerar Naal on November 27, coming together to remember and pay tribute to the Maaveerar - those who gave their lives for the struggle for liberation. 

^{Thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations at Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam, in Kilinochchi [read more here]}

Across the North-East, Tamils gathered at Thuyilum Illams (LTTE cemetries or resting homes) and memorials to light lamps and lay flowers. Families of the Maaveerar made personal tributes to their loved ones, bringing photographs and serving their favourite food. 

Commemorations this year took place amid Tamil concern over the return of the former president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who oversaw the mass atrocities of 2009, to the political stage. In Kudaththanai, in Vadamaradchi, residents were warned not to attend commemorations as 'Mahinda has returned'. [Read more here.]

Despite the passing of almost a decade since the end of the armed conflict, Maaveerar Naal commemorations and preparations took place under the watchful eyes of military personnel who remain deployed across the North-East. 

State security personnel forced Tamils gathered at Kandalady LTTE cemetery in Vakarai, Batticaloa to remove the new headstones that had been planted in recent days, to replace the original headstones destroyed by the Sri Lankan military. [Read more here.]

Police officers also disrupted attempts to commemorate Maaveerar Naal in Munai, Point Pedro, tearing down flags and threatening those in attendance. [Read more here.]

In the weeks leading up to Maaveerar Naal, local residents, former LTTE cadre and families of the Maaveerar cleared and renovated the Thuyilum Illams (LTTE cemetries or resting homes), which were destroyed by the Sri Lankan military, in preparation of the event.  

^{Armed soldiers stationed in watch tower observe locals preparing for Maaveerar Naal at Mulliyawalai Thuyilum Illam, Mullaitivu} 

The heightened security presence did not dissuade Tamils from commemorating however. Small acts of unorganised resistance were seen across the North-East in a powerful message of defiance against the military's continued occupation in the Tamil homeland. 

^{Hand painted Tamil Eelam flag hoisted in outside a school in Puthukudiyiruppu. [Read more here.]}

^{University of Jaffna}

Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes Day - remembers those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for freedom, and is marked on November 27 yearly, in memory of the first death of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre in fighting -  Lt. Shankar died in combat on November 27, 1982.

Editorial: Crisis at Sri Lanka's core

Almost four years into the ‘good governance’ government, Sri Lanka’s image of stability and progress unravelled last month in a day. President Sirisena’s sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa followed by the dissolving of parliament and call for fresh elections, ended any semblance of stability. Revealed instead was disregard for the country’s constitution and rule of law, bribery, violence and an entrenched racism which habitually blames Tamils for the state’s woes. Sri Lanka’s latest descent into turmoil highlights once again the simmering crisis of unresolved ethnic conflict that remains at the island’s core.

[Read more here]

North-East

Kilinochchi

Thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations at Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam

Maaveerar Naal commemorated across Kilinochchi

Batticaloa

Thousands commemorate Maaveerar Naal across Batticaloa

Eastern University's institute commemorates Maaveerar Naal

Maaveerar Naal commemorated at Eastern University

Police force removal of memorial headstones at Vakarai LTTE cemetery

Jaffna

Maaveerar Naal commorated by thousands across Jaffna

Traditional Maaveerar Naal commemorations at Jaffna University

ITAK marks Maaveerar Naal in Jaffna

Valvettithurai commemorates its dead

Sea Tigers remembered in open sea ceremony

Police block commemoration in Point Pedro

Villagers told not to attend Maaveerar Naal as 'Mahinda has returned'

Maaveerar Naal held at Uduththurai Thuyilum Illam

Heavy police presence as Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Koppay

Maaveerar Naal commemorated at Koppay despite police intimidation

Jaffna University commemorates Maaveerar Naal

Maaveerar Naal commemorated at Thileepan Memorial in Jaffna

Vali East Pradesiya Sabai marks Maaveerar Naal

Mullaitivu

Maaveerar Naal held at all Thuyilum Illams in Mullaitivu

Hand painted Tamil Eelam flag hoisted in Puthukudiyiruppu

Trincomalee

Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Trincomalee

Mannar

Maaveerar Naal marked at thuyilum illams across Mannar

Maaveerar Naal at Mannar Pandivirichaan thuyilum illam

Amparai

Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Amparai at LTTE cemetery

Vavuniya

Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Vavuniya

Worldwide

Maaveerar families honoured in North-East

Tamil nation prepares for Maaveerar Naal 

In the run up to Maaveerar Naal, cemeteries called Thuyilum Illam - or resting place - were renovated by volunteers across the North-East. Destroyed fragments of tombstones were gathered and red and yellow flags were raised, as part of efforts to mark the day.