Due to the severe flooding in Batticaloa, Tamil people are using boats to access Tharavai Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam  to mark Maaverar Naal. 

The Batticaloa floods are symptoms of a developing cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. According to the Disaster Management Centre, over 77,670 people from 22,532 families across 15 districts have been affected by the inclement weather.

Despite both natural and state-imposed challenges, Tamils have stayed resilient in their unwavering determination to honour their fallen heroes.

Last week, Tamil volunteers preparing for Maaveerar Naal at the Batticaloa Tharavai Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam were summoned by the Sri Lankan police over their preparation activities. 

Velayudhan Baskaran, a volunteer organising memorial activities at Tharavai Thuyilum Illam in Batticaloa, said the Officer in Charge (OIC) issued explicit warnings against organising any commemorative events.

“They told me we cannot use loudspeakers, sing songs, tie flags, or even use karthigai poo (a traditional flower of remembrance), we cannot say that we are doing anything in remembrance of our heroes,” Baskaran said. "We were warned that any such actions would result in legal consequences."

See more here: No flags, no flowers - Sri Lankan police summon volunteers ahead of Maaveerar Naal

This instance was one in many in which the Sri Lankan state has continued to deny Tamils their right to grieve. Just last year, Sri Lankan riot police stormed Maaveerar Naal commemorations in the same Tharavai Thuyilum Illam in Batticaloa, tearing down red and yellow flags, vandalizing commemorations and arresting at least four Tamil mourners. 

See more here: Sri Lankan riot police storm Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Batticaloa, four Tamils arrested