Across Tamil Nadu, thousands of Tamils, including prominent politicians, gathered to commemorate Maaveerar Naal, as Tamils across the world remember those who lost their lives in the Tamil struggle for liberation. 

Thol. Thirumavalavan, Founder-President, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, marked the event in Chennai by lighting a flame. Marking the occasion he stated on Twitter:

 Tamils in Paris, France joined Tamils in the homeland and across the diaspora in marking Maaveerar Naal. 

A teenage Tamil boy was tortured to death according to his family, after being arrested by Sri Lankan police and sent to a reformatory home in Amparai.

13-year-old Ananthadevan Darsanth, from Kokuvil in Batticaloa, was arrested by Sri Lankan police officers for allegedly stealing a bell and lamp from a local temple in the area.

Tamils gathered in Finland to mark Maaveerar Naal. 

Tamils gathered in Antwerp to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.

Tamils gathered in Palermo to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.

The Governor of the City of Palermo and several Italian dignitaries were also present.

Amidst the United National Climate Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to discuss a variety of issues.

In the Mayilathamadu Madhavanai area in Batticaloa, tensions are escalating between Sinhalese occupiers and Tamil cattle farmers, as a disturbing trend of brutal attacks on cattle by Sinhalese settlers continues to unfold. The situation, which poses a direct threat to the livelihoods and safety of Tamil farmers, has reached a critical point.

Oddusuddan police disrupted an event to remember the 32 Tamils that were massacred in Othiyamalai, Mullaitivu by the Sri Lankan army in 1984. 

As many as 11 Tamils, including a Batticaloa schoolboy, have now been arrested by Sri Lankan authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), after Maaveerar Naal commemorations this week.

As tens of thousands paid tribute to those who died in the Tamil liberation struggle, Sri Lankan authorities launched a crackdown, which included storming a remembrance event and several arrests.

Amongst those detained under Sri Lanka’s anti-terrorism legislation is 18-year school boy Newton Danushan.