Tamils in North-East mark fifth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week

Tamils across the North-East held remembrance events and distributed Mullivaikkal Kanji on May 16, to mark the fifth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week. 

This year marks 17 years since the genocide at Mullivaikkal where at least 169,796 Tamils are unaccounted for or presumed dead following Sri Lanka's military offensive in the final months of the armed conflict. 

See photographs from events in the Tamil homeland below. 

Batticaloa 

A remembrance event marking the fifth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week was held in the Kallady area of Batticaloa. 

The event was organised by Uyirneetha Uravugalin Thayaga Uravugal (Homeland Relatives of the Fallen) ahead of the annual May 18 Mullivaikkal remembrance. As part of the event, Mullivaikkal kanji was prepared and distributed to the public.

Floral tributes and silent observances were also held in memory of those killed in Mullivaikkal, while a memorial flame was lit by religious representative Sambasiva Sivachariyar.

The remembrance event was arranged with the help of Batticaloa Municipal Council member Jeyanthiraumar. Former Deputy Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council and current council member S. Sathiyaseelan, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) National Organiser Prasanna Indrakumar, Municipal Council member Sasikala, and other social activists joined the event. 

A remembrance event was also held at Sri Muthulingapillaiyar Temple in Ambilanthurai, Batticaloa. 

The memorial observance was held under the leadership of Manmunai South-West divisional council member K. Kesagappodi, with proceedings coordinated by retired principal S. Nakuleswaran.

Among the attendees were Batticaloa District Member of Parliament G. Srinesan, Poratheevupattu divisional council Chairman V. Mathimenan, former MP P. Ariyanethiran, former Eastern Provincial Council Member M. Nadarasa, and social activist as well as Coordinator of the Akilan Foundation, V.R. Mahendran.

Also present were temple priests, members of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), representatives of local government bodies, former combatants, principals, teachers, temple administrative leaders, representatives of civil organizations, youth, women, and school students, reflecting a broad and heartfelt participation from every section of the community.

Jaffna 

Mullivaikkal Kanji was served at Manipay public market in Jaffna. 

Mannar 

A remembrance event organised by the Association of Families of the Forcibly Disappeared in Mannar district took place at Mannar Bazaar. 

Religious leaders and members of the public joined the families of the disappeared in commemorating the Tamils who were massacred in the armed conflict. 

Vavuniya 

The Youngline Sports Club of Thirunavarkulam  organised an event to remember and reflect on the Tamil genocide.

During the event, reflections and speeches were delivered on the Mullivaikkal genocide, highlighting the enduring pain, resilience, and collective responsibility to preserve the memory of those who perished.