In Britain and in the Tamil homeland, Tamils commemorate the passage of Britain’s longest-ruling monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8 September.
The first person to pay respects to the queen's casket was British Tamil, Vanessa Nathakumaran who described the experience as follows:
“It was an emotional experience. I was fighting back tears as I approached the coffin and I managed to dignify myself,” she said. “I wanted to do something so I said prayers for the Queen, thanked her for her great service and wished her peace and rest.
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In South London, the Tamil Coordinating Committee UK held a commemoration for the Queen with a space for the public to express their condolence.
In the Ealing Amman temple, a special ceremony was held to mark the passage of the Queen Elizabeth. In attendance was the newly appointed mayor of Ealing, Mohinder Midha, and the Chairman of the Australian Amman temple.
The Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils, Elliot Colburn also provided the below video message for the occasion.
The death of the monarch was felt beyond Britain, with Families of the Disappeared in Vavuniya also holding a commemoration for the passage of the queen as they continue their hunger strike demanding to know what happened to their forcibly disappeared loved ones.
Speaking to the Tamil Guardian, Sen Kandiah, Chair of Tamils for Labour, stated:
“Tamils for Labour offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the loss of Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty started her reign as Queen of Ceylon and although Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972, Her Majesty continued as a committed and dedicated leader of the Commonwealth.
We fondly remember her warmth and generosity to the Tamil People and feel a profound sense of sadness at her passing”.
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