Whilst Tamils across the North-East celebrated the Tamil harvest festival of Thai Pongal this month, locals had to contend with the occupying Sri Lankan military holding several events of its own across the heavy militarised Tamil homeland.

The events across the North-East come despite continued criticism over the military’s involvement in civilian affairs, as tens of thousands of stationed remain stationed in the region.

In Jaffna, the head of the army in the region, Major General Dharshana Hettiarrachchi, attended a ceremony at a Hindu temple in Vaddukoddai, where troops gave handouts to Tamil schoolchildren.

The commander also attended another event at the military-run Thalsevana resort in Jaffna, stationed inside a High Security Zone, on occupied land.

Soldiers in Mullaitivu, one of the most heavily militarised districts in the North-East, meanwhile organised a concert.

Troops from the 64 Division also held a ceremony at the Oddusudan Sivam Kovil, whilst other Tamil Hindu devotees were marking the occasion. Soldiers also handed out accessories to schoolchildren at the event.

A similar ceremony was held by troops at the Udayarkattu Durga Amman Hindu temple.

Several other events were also held in Kilinochchi by Sri Lankan troops, with soldiers from the 57 Division, 65 Division, the 651 Brigade, the 652 Brigade and 653 Brigade all holding separate events in the district.

In the Eastern province, troops from the 231 Brigade, the 232 Brigade and 233 Brigade each attended ceremonies at different Hindu temples across Batticaloa.

The number of events happening across the Tamil homeland reflects in intense militarisation of the region, despite more than 10 years since the end of the armed conflict. Some areas such as Jaffna and in the East have been under military occupation for decades.

Despite calls from locals for the demilitarisation of the region, the government has broken pledges to scale back the military.