Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

The Bar Association of Jaffna has issued a firm rebuke of Sri Lanka’s notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), calling not only for its immediate repeal but also rejecting any efforts to repackage repressive legislation under a different guise. This decision comes in response to a public call for comments issued by Sri Lanka's Ministry of Justice, following the government's announcement of…

Hundreds gather to commemorate Maaveerar Naal at Aadkaaddiveli Thuyilum Illam in Mannar

Hundreds of Tamils gathered in Mannar at the Thuyilum Illam site of Aadkaaddiveli.

Local priests stood alongside families of Maaveerar to pay their respects.

Thousands gather to commemorate Maaveerar Naal in Trincomalee for the first time since 2004

Thousands of people gathered at the Alankulam Thuyilum Illam in Sampoor, Trincomalee to commemorate Maaveerar Naal despite heavy rain.

For the first time since 2004, the Alankulam Thuyilum Illam was cleaned and restoration efforts were taken by a committee comprised of former cadres, civil society and parents of Maaveerar.

Maaveerar Naal commemorated across Batticaloa district

Events were held across Batticaloa District today at Thuyilum Illams and in village memorial sites commemorating Maaveerar Naal.

Thousands gather all over Jaffna district to mark Maaveerar Naal

Thousands of local residents and families of the Maaveerar gathered at the Thuyilum Illams (LTTE resting homes) and memorial sites across Jaffna district today to mark Tamil National Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal). 

Many wept at the traditional Thuyilum Illam song played whilst lamps were lit by make shift tombstones. 

Events took place at Thuyilum Illams and memorial sites across the North-East, which were destroyed by Sri Lankan armed forces, but cleared and decorated over recent weeks. 

Thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations at destroyed Thuyilum Illam in Kilinochchi

 

More than 10,000 people gathered at the Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam this evening to mark Maaveerar Naal and pay respects to those who gave their lives fighting for Tamil liberation.

Sri Lankan minister threatens legal action over Maaveerar Naal commemorations

Sri Lanka's minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka on Monday called on the government to take legal action against Tamils commemorating fallen LTTE cadres on Tamil National Remembrance Day  (Maaveerar Naal). 

"Anyone commemorating the LTTE must be held responsible for the assassinations committed by the LTTE during the war," Mr Champika was quoted by the Colombo Gazette as saying. 

His comments come as tens of thousands of Tamils across the North-East gathered at Thuyilum Illams and memorial sites to honour Maaveerar. 

Tamil newspapers mark Maaveerar Naal on front pages

Maaveerar Naal headlines dominate Tamil newspapers in the North-East this morning.

Families of Maaveerar honoured at event in Jaffna

The family members of Maaveerar were honoured during an event at Navalar Hall in Jaffna earlier today.

The function, organised by the Tamil National People's Front, saw families place garlands in remembrance of their loved once.

Final preparations ahead of Maaveerar Naal events today

Theeruvil, Vadamarachchi 

Final preparations were underway this morning at Thuyilum Illams and memorial sites across the North-East ahead of commemorative events marking Tamil National Remembrance Day (Maaveerar Naal) today. 

Maaveerar Naal commemorated outside demolished LTTE cemetery in Kodikamam

Several people gathered outside the site of a destroyed LTTE cemetery in Kodikamam, Jaffna to commemorate the Tamil Remembrance Day.

NPC Councillor Shivajilingam led the event at the site, now occupied by a military camp.

Several soldiers were seen taking pictures of all those participating.