Students from the Eastern University paid their respects to fallen LTTE cadres on the second day of Maaveerar remembrance week. The students lit lamps by a Pongu Tamil memorial on campus and called on students to mark Maaveerar Naal on November 27 to honour those who sacrificed their lives. Events are taking place across the Tamil homeland in the run up to Maaveerar Naal, which is marked on November 27, in memory of the first death of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadre, Lt. Shankar who died in combat on November 27, 1982.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Sri Lanka will no longer be hosts for the Under-19 men's Cricket World Cup, which is due to be held in just a few months time, after the country was suspended due to political interference in the sport. Though the ICC announced the suspension has now been lifted, it “confirmed Sri Lanka would be replaced as hosts” for the upcoming tournament in January 2024. The global sporting body announced that Sri Lanka can continue to compete internationally both in bilateral cricket and ICC events, but funding to Sri Lanka Cricket “will be...
Officers from Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is notorious for its widespread use of torture, have reportedly launched an investigation into the death of a Tamil youth after he was tortured last week. 25-year-old Nagarasa Alex died from the torture he was subjected to in Sri Lankan police custody. His death sparked protests in his hometown in Jaffna, and wider calls for justice. Responding to calls to hold the officers responsible accountable, the Sri Lankan police released a statement claiming that “further investigations” are being carried out by a team of CID...
Diaspora Tamils from the same village as 25-year-old Nagarasa Alex, a Tamil youth who was tortured to death in Sri Lankan police custody, have demanded justice be served and the officers responsible held accountable. In an open letter published this week, Tamils from Sithankerni in Jaffna who now reside in Europe have echoed calls from their hometown. “What are the answers for our dear friend Alex's death due to police torture?” the letter asked.
Switzerland’s ambassador to Sri Lanka said her government was “deeply concerned” after a Tamil youth was killed after being tortured in Sri Lankan police custody this week. “Any case of alleged custodial mistreatment should be impartially investigated by the Sri Lakan authorities,” tweeted Ambassador Siri Walt.
Events were held in Canada and the UK on Tuesday to mark Tamil Eelam national flag day, an initiative that was started in 2021 to honour the Tamil Eelam flag.
In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, an elderly Eelam Tamil woman from Mullaitivu emerged victorious at the Masters Athletics Championships held in the Philippines. 71-year-old Akila Thirunayaki Sriseyananthapavan won gold medals in both the 1,500 and 5,000 metre races, as well as a bronze medal in the 800 meter race, captivating hearts globally. Competing barefoot against her opponents, Thirunayaka still sprinted her way to victory. Born in Mullaitivu, a region deeply affected by Sri Lanka’s genocide of the Tamil people, her triumph has been hailed by locals as a symbol...
Fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were remembered at Uduthurai Thuyilum Illam on Monday as the Tamil nation marks Maaveerar remembrance week. The tombstones of fallen LTTE cadres, which were destroyed by the Sri Lankan army, were placed together to form a large monument in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for liberation. Thuyilum Illams - resting places - were built across the North-East by the LTTE in the 1990s. Thuyilum Illams were destroyed both during the armed conflict and later bulldozed over by the Sri Lankan state following the Tamil...
Mallakam Magistrate Court has rejected a number of petitions filed by Sri Lankan police to ban Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Jaffna this week.
A memorial dedicated to the 24,379 Maaveerar was unveiled in Nallur, Jaffna today as the Tamil nation marks the first day of Maaveerar remembrance week.