Tamils in the UK held events on Friday to mark the 9th anniversary of the genocide of tens of thousands of Tamils by Sri Lankan state forces at the end of the armed conflict in 2009.
Children from two Tamil preschools were taken around the Jaffna Security Force Headquarters in the occupied high security zone of Palali, yesterday on Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, which Tamils across the North-East observed as a day of mourning.
People For Equality and Relief in Sri Lanka (PEARL) condemned Western governments for failing to act on Sri Lanka’s “empty commitments and meaningless platitudes" and reiterated the need for an international justice mechanism, expressing solidarity with Tamils across the globe commemorate Tamil Genocide Day.
The Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan held a small event to remember the Mullivakkal massacre. Lighting a flame, Mr Sampanthan and fellow party members held a moment's silence in memory of those who had been killed.
Amnesty International called on Sri Lanka to release a comprehensive list of Tamil civilians and cadres that surrendered to Sri Lanka’s armed forces during the final phases of the ethnic conflict.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for “a process of accountability that has the trust and confidence of the survivors” in a message issued to mark 9 years since the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.
“The war – which lasted over 26 years – resulted in immeasurable injuries, loss of life, and displacement,” said Mr Trudeau. “The wounds of this war linger as the survivors seek answers for their loss, including family members and loved ones who have disappeared.”
In a statement released yesterday, Sri Lanka’s commander of the Army Mahesh Senanayake payed tribute to “War heroes who defended the motherland” and “rescued thousands of innocent Tamil civilians,” whilst “protecting the country’s unitary status.”
Lieutenant General Senenayake outlined the launch of a “special programme” to commemorate Sri Lanka’s armed force that “sacrificed their tomorrow.. defending the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitary status of Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena expressed his “deepest gratitude” to the military today, whilst the former president praised the end of “terrorism”.
?Mr Sirisena tweeted,
“I express my deepest gratitude to all Sri Lankan war heroes on this National War Heroes Commemoration Day.”
A Sri Lankan cabinet minister declared it was against “the law of the land” to remember “dead terrorists” in a press conference with journalists on Thursday.
Students and staff at the University of Jaffna and Eastern University held remembrance events today marking the 9th anniversary of the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils by Sri Lankan armed forces at the end of the conflict in 2009.
Temple prayers were organised in Batticaloa today to remember the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils by Sri Lankan state forces in 2009.
Families in Koralaipedu, Batticaloa held a special poosai at Kinnaiyadi Vaavikkarai whilst in Kiraan, the Tamil National Alliance organised at the local Sri Vishnu temple, where TNA MPs and party members participated.
