Traders in Mullaitivu are being investigated after decorating their shop fronts with red and yellow flags in the lead up to Maaveerar Naal. 

Sri Lankan intelligence officers have begun inquiries into the shop owners and collecting details about their family members. They also took photographs of the shops with the flags hoisted outside them. This is the latest act of intimidation by the Sri Lankan state which continues to crackdown on Tamil memorialisation. 

Tamils in the North-East are marking Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhkaran's 68th birthday today. 

Remembrance events were held across the Tamil homeland today to mark the fifth day of Maaveerar remembrance week. 

Tamil youth in Mullaitivu participating in a blood donation drive to mark the fifth day of Maaveerar remembrance week were photographed and questioned by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department. 

More preparations were being made at Iranapalai and Visuvamadu Thuyilum Illams earlier today as Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes Day - draws closer. 

Tamil students at four universities in Denmark commemorated Maaveerar Naal this week and paid respect to those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for an independent Tamil Eelam.

During the event, attendees lit lamps and raised the Tamil Eelam flag in remembrance of all who sacrificed their lives. Attendees also performed theatrical dances, poetry, songs and speeches. 
 

Across the Thames, British Tamils have organised for a boat to carry a memorial message to mark the 33rd Maaveerar Naal, a day dedicated to remembering those who sacrificed their lives for the Tamil liberational struggle.

Speaking before Sri Lankan parliament, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, M.A Sumanthiran, explained that whilst the party held firm disagreements with the government's budget proposals, they abstained from voting at the second reading of the budget as a gesture of goodwill as the President assured Tamil political parties that would resolve the Tamil National question.

Two uniformed soldiers questioned Tamil journalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan at Mullaitivu Press Club today as Maaveerar Naal draws closer.

The soldiers belonging to the 591 Brigade asked Kumanan for the name and contact details of the president of the organisation, claiming that a new commanding officer was seeking the information of all commerical establishments in Mullaitivu. 

"There are plans to organize another ‘Aragalaya’ to chase the Govt, but I won't give an opportunity for that. I will get the military & the forces and I will put a State of Emergency. I will also not dissolve the Parliament until economic crisis is resolved."- President @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/tbL0d0piSU