In pictures - Thileepan memorial convoy reaches Mullivaikkal

A travelling memorial dedicated to Lt Col Thileepan, a political leader of the LTTE who undertook a hunger strike until death in 1987, travelled through Mullivaikkal this week.

The convoy is marching from Pottuvil in the East to Jaffna in the North and has been organised by the Tamil National People’s Front to mark 35 years since Thileepan’s fast.

Mullivaikkal is the site of the Sri Lankan military’s massacres 13 years ago, in an offensive that culminated on May 19,2009. Tens of thousands of Tamils were killed.

The Sri Lankan military continues to maintain a heavy presence in the region, with the Mullatiivu district containing up to 1 Sri Lankan soldier for every two civilians.