^{Illustration by Keera Ratnam / @wavesofcolour}

Today marks 42 years since the death of the first fighter from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The date remains etched into the heart of the Tamil nation, symbolising a milestone in the long and arduous struggle for liberation. At 6.05PM, the exact time when Lt Shankar drew his last breath, millions across the homeland and around the world will bow their heads and light lamps. In doing so, they will not just be remembering the sacrifice that he, and the tens of thousands who came after him, made. They will be sending a clear message across the globe. The Tamil Eelam nation is still standing strong and remains determined for liberation.

Despite the passage of more than 15 years since the death of the last LTTE cadre on the battlefield, the breadth and scale of Maaveerar Naal commemorations have only grown. This year, more cities around the world have already been holding a host of different remembrance events – from Tamil schools and universities to community centres and stadiums. The call for independence is being heard louder than almost ever before.

In the Tamil homeland too, commemorative events have certainly increased in scale. This year, the effects of a devastating cyclone will understandably lead many to opt for private ceremonies in their homes. However, thousands are still expected to gather at LTTE cemeteries, all of which have been destroyed by the Sri Lankan state.

This is undoubtedly due to the slight easing of restrictions by the Sri Lankan state since Anura Kumara Dissanayake came into power. The military presence in the North-East, notorious for its suppression of Tamil remembrance, has appeared more restrained in recent weeks, with many events proceeding unhindered. However, reports of intimidation by security forces persist, and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security has confirmed that some restrictions remain in place. It is still unacceptable. These lingering constraints underscore the lack of genuine reconciliation on the part of the Sri Lankan state. The Tamil people should have the freedom to commemorate their fallen without fear, without interference, and with the symbols and imagery that reflect their struggle. The right to honour the dead is not negotiable. It is a fundamental act of dignity that must be respected.

This also means that the army camps that have been constructed on the top of these cemeteries must immediately be dismantled, the lands they occupy released and those graveyards restored. There can be no greater disrespect than to have soldiers walk with their boots on top of the shattered tombs of fallen Tamil fighters. This act of erasure is not just an insult—it is a calculated attempt to obliterate Tamil history and identity. So far, there has only been one report of a single camp closing down. Even then, that removal is yet to materialise. If Dissanayake is serious about winning over the trust of the Tamil people, cleansing the North-East of such military presence, would be a tangible step towards it.

The president and his administration must not take for granted the Tamil polity's openness to engage with his party and its promises of renewed and reformed governance. The Tamil people have neither forgotten the decades of massacres nor the ongoing occupation of their lands and the systematic suppression of their rights. Equally, their aspirations for liberation and the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for it remain undiminished. Decades of attempts to erase their struggle have instead solidified it within the Tamil political consciousness, making it an inseparable part of their identity. It cannot be extinguished.