Sri Lankan police ordered the removal of Velupillai Prabhakaran's photograph from a banner outside his childhood home in Valvettithurai as Tamils marked his 70th birthday.
Former Northern Provincial Councillor M Shivajilingham and local residents gathered outside the ruins of the LTTE leader's home today to celebrate his birthday. However, Valvettithurai police officers told the crowd that Prabhkaran's photograph could not be displayed and ordered that his photograph should be removed from the banner.
The organisers obliged and removed the photograph but continued to cut a birthday cake and plant coconut saplings to mark the occasion.
Earlier this week, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that restrictions would be put in place as Tamils look to observe Maaveerar Naal, including the display of any photographs.
Wijepala said display of logos, uniforms, or images associated with the LTTE remain prohibited, as the group is a banned terrorist organisation.
The display of any symbols or representations related to the group during memorial events are also not allowed.
Read more on this story: Sri Lanka will not allow photographs of fallen cadres on Maaveerar Naal.
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