The North-East coast of Sri Lanka is currently bracing for the impact of Cyclone Fengal, which is still several hundred kilometres away from Trincomalee but has already begun to wreak havoc on the region. Rising sea levels have inundated several coastal cities, forcing many residents to evacuate their homes as the storm intensifies.

Cyclone Fengal swept the Tamil homeland today, leaving tens of thousands of families displaced as floods slammed homes across the island.

Floods left roads across the North-East completely closed off, with tens of thousands of people due to travel to the site of former cemeteries to mark Maaveerar Naal today. Whilst many braved the weather, several also chose to stay at home and hold private commemorations instead.

Thousands of Eelam Tamils across the Batticaloa district braved floods, with some even travelling by boat, to attend public Maaveerar Naal commemorations at the sites of destroyed LTTE cemeteries earlier today.

Several hundred people gathered at the Vakarai Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam to light lamps and lay flowers before the collected remnants of tombstones they had collected.

Thousands of British Tamils from across the country came together to commemorate Maaveerar Naal, honouring the sacrifices of their fallen heroes through moving tributes, cultural performances, and remembrance ceremonies held in cities including London and Oxford. 

In London, Tamils united in large numbers at the ExCel centre to remember the Tamil fighters, and commemorate Maaveerar Naal. Families of fallen LTTE fighters gathered by makeshift gravestones to remember their loved ones who gave their lives to the liberation struggle.

Maaveerar Naal commemorations took place in Amparai's Kanchikudiyaaru Thuyilum Illam, which locals had cleared despite torrential rains.