Events are taking place across the Tamil homeland today to mark 16 years since tens of thousands of Tamils were massacred by Sri Lanka in a genocide at Mullivaikkal.
May 18th 2009, is remembered around the world as ‘Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day’. As many as 169,796 Tamils remain unaccounted for.
This page will be updated as events take place across the Tamil homeland.
Mullaivaikkal
In Mullivaikkal, thousands of Tamils gathered to commemorate the genocide, in what has been the largest in-person turnout ever since the genocide took place in the region 16 years ago.
Read more: In Pictures - Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day commemorated in Mullivaikkal
Mullaitivu
As dawn broke, Vanni District Member of Parliament Thurairasa Ravikaran scattered flowers at Nandikadal lagoon to mark the 16th anniversary of the Tamil genocide.
Read more: Flowers scattered at Nandikadal lagoon to mark Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day
Vavuniya
A pooja was held at Kurumankadu Pillaiyar temple in Vavuniya to remember the victims of the massacres at Mullivaikkal.
Mannar
The Tamil National Right to Life Movement organised an event at Mannar bazaar where a lamp was lit and flowers were laid to mark the day.
Mannar Cultural Hall was the venue for a memorial by Women's Wing of the Tamil Nation People's Front (TNPF). The party's Mannar Coordinator Thurairajah Johnson was present, along with religious dignitaries.
Thalaimannar
A poignant memorial event took place at St. Lawrence Church in Thalaimannar, led by local clergy and nuns, marking the brutal end of the armed conflict. Commencing with a flame-lighting ceremony for the victims of genocide, the memorial included a candlelit procession, floral tributes, and prayers for the dead and disappeared. The service also featured the blessing and distribution of kanji by Bishop of Mannar Rev Christhu Nesaratnam . The event was organised with the support of Catholic youth and clergy.
Batticaloa
Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) held an emotionally charged commemoration at the Mukhathuvaaram Beach in Vakarai, Batticaloa. The event, led by TNPF National Organiser Dharmalingam Suresh, took place at the fishermen’s jetty and featured the lighting of memorial flames in honour of those who perished. TNPF leader and MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, former MP Selvarajah Kajendren, party members, and hundreds of local residents participated in the remembrance, paying tribute to the lives lost during the final stages of the armed conflict.
Below is a selection of images from numerous other Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day 2025 events in the Tamil homeland.
Gandhi Park, Batticaloa
At the protest tent of the Association for the Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances (AREA), Vavuniya town
Child victims of genocide remembered at Veeravani-Gnanavani Library, Vaatharavaththai, Valikamam East
Kanji served at Sivan Temple, Trinco City
Sikaram Education Centre, Visvamadu
