Tamils across Eelam and around the world marked Maaveerar Naal this year, remembering all those that gave their lives to the Tamil liberation struggle.
Across the North-East, Tamils gathered at destroyed LTTE cemeteries and other sites of tribute across the homeland, despite intimidation and harassment from Sri Lankan security forces. In both Mannar and Vavuniya, preparations were destroyed by unknown groups, suspected to be linked to the Sri Lankan security forces.
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North-East
Mullaitivu
Commemorations were held across Mullaitivu, the district with the highest number of thuyilum illams in the Tamil homeland.
Maaveerar Naal held all over Mullaitivu
Kilinochchi
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Thousands mark Maaveerar Naal at destroyed cemeteries in Kilinochchi
Mannar
Mannar Tamils defy threats to mark Maaveerar Naal
Vavuniya
Tamils defy military threats to mark Maaveerar Naal in Vavuniya
Batticaloa
Grief and resistance in Batticaloa as thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations
Students at the Eastern University commemorated Maaveerar Naal at the university's Vantharumoolai campus in Batticaloa.
Maaveerar Naal marked at Eastern University
Trincomalee
Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Trincomalee
Amparai
Maaveerar Naal marked at destroyed cemetery in Amparai
Jaffna
Maaveerar Naal marked at Jaffna's destroyed LTTE cemeteries
At Jaffna University, hundreds of students broke through the locked gates and laid flowers before a memorial, defying a ban announced by authorities yesterday.
Students break through gates to commemorate Maaveerar Naal at Jaffna University
Jaffna University admin declares campus ‘out of bounds’ ahead of Maaveerar Naal
Jaffna University administration bans Maaveerar Naal commemorations
Jaffna University cancels working session after students defy Maaveerar Naal ban
Commemorations began in Jaffna this morning with locals gathering in front of a destroyed monument to Lt Col Thileepan in Nallur, to pay tribute to those that died in the Tamil liberation struggle.
Maaveerar Naal tributes begin in Nallur
Tamil school students at Jaffna Hindu College marked Maaveerar Naal this morning by lighting candles and planting trees in remembrance of those who gave their lives in the Tamil liberation struggle.
Jaffna Hindu College students mark Maaveerar Naal
The head of the the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and other senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) politicians commemorated Maaveerar Naal at their Jaffna office earlier today, as they paid tribute to fallen liberation fighters.
ITAK commemorates Maaveerar Naal
Europe
Maaveerar Naal was observed by thousands of Tamils across Europe, where they gathered in various cities to pay tribute to the fallen.
Maaveerar Naal observed by Tamils across Europe
Tamil Nadu
Thousands of Tamil from across Tamil Nadu held Maaveerar Naal commemorations yesterday in solidarity with Eelam Tamils.
Maaveerar Naal commemorations held across Tamil Nadu
North America
Across North America, Tamils stood in solidarity with those in the homeland to remember the sacrifice made and lives lost during the Tamil liberation struggle.
Tamils across North America commemorate Maaveerar Naal 2019
Britain
Thousands of British Tamils gathered in London, Oxford and Glasgow to mark Maaveerar Naal.
Thousands of British Tamils mark Maaveerar Naal across the UK
British Tamil university students commemorated the Tamil fighters that fought and lost their lives in the liberation struggle, this Wednesday across the country.
British Tamil students hold Maaveerar Naal tributes
British Tamil businesses began preparing to commemorate Maaveerar Naal by flying Tamil Eelam flags at stores across the UK.
British Tamil businesses prepare to mark Maaveerar Naal
Australia and New Zealand
Tamils in Australia and New Zealand gather to commemorate Maaveerar Naal
Preparations had begun several weeks beforehand, with locals clearing cemeteries that had been destroyed by Sri Lankan security forces. Despite ongoing harassment, including the destruction of preparations this week, Tamils defied the military intimidation and joined events across the North-East.
Sri Lankan military threatens Maaveerar Naal organisers
Parents of fallen fighters honoured and cemeteries cleared despite threats
Start of Maaveerar remembrance week marked in Tamil homeland
Tamil youths lead clearing of Batticaloa LTTE cemetery
In the shadow of the military, Tamils continue clearing LTTE cemetery
Sri Lankan army threatens Tamils clearing Amparai thuyilum illam
Thuyilum illam clearing commences in preparation for Maaveerar Naal
13 Tamils arrested during Maaveerar Naal preparations
Amongst the preparations were the erection of stones inscribed with the names of 25,000 Tamil liberation fighters.
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Stones bearing names of 25,000 Maaveerar erected in Jaffna
Front pages of Tamil newspapers across the North-East marked Maaveerar Naal on Wednesday morning.
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