The Valvettithurai Urban Council has resolved that, instead of constructing a new building on the land where Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran once lived, it would be more appropriate to reconstruct a structure that reflects the original house in which he resided.
The decision was taken at the most recent monthly meeting of the Valvettithurai Urban Council, which was held under the chairmanship M. K. Sivalingam. Councillors discussed a request submitted by Prabhakaran’s sister, M. Jegatheeswari, who is the legal owner of the land, seeking approval to construct a new building on the site where Prabhakaran’s residence had previously stood.
Speaking during the meeting, council member Mayuran noted that while the land legally belongs to Prabhakaran’s sister, it continues to be widely recognised by the public as “Prabhakaran’s land”. He observed that although the original house had been demolished, the vacant plot is still commonly referred to as Prabhakaran’s home. As such, he argued that the historical character of the site should be preserved and not altered through new construction that bears no resemblance to the original structure.
Council members acknowledged that the Valvettithurai Urban Council does not have the legal authority to prevent construction on privately owned land. However, it was agreed that, on moral grounds, an appeal should be made to both the landowner and her legal representative. The council resolved that this appeal should urge them to refrain from erecting new buildings on the site and, if construction were to proceed, to do so in a manner that reflects the original house in which Prabhakaran lived.
It was emphasised during the discussion that the decision to accept or reject this appeal ultimately rests with the landowner. Nevertheless, the council agreed that its position should be formally conveyed, reflecting the continued public recognition of the site’s historical significance and the sentiments held by many across Tamil Eelam.
