Tamils in Wutterpal, Germany marked 38 years since Lt Col Thileepan began his fast unto death, which he undertook to press the Indian government to uphold its commitments to the Tamil people.
Lt Col Thileepan, born Rasiah Partheepan, put forward five demands to the Indian government before he began his hunger strike on 15th September 1987.
1) All Tamils detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be released.
2) The colonisation by Sinhalese in Tamil areas under the guise of rehabilitation should be stopped.
3) All such rehabilitation should be stopped until an interim government is formed.
4) The Sri Lankan government should stop opening new police stations and camps in the North-eastern province.
5) The Sri Lankan army and Police should withdraw from schools in Tamil villages and the weapons given by the Sri Lankan government to ‘homeguards’ should be withdrawn under the supervision of the Indian army.
11 days later, Thileepan passed away after refusing food and water.
Thileepan and his profound sacrifice are solemnly remembered by Tamils around the world.
