Thousands of Tamils defied the Sri Lanka security forces and gathered across the Tamil homeland, and around the world today, to mark Maaveerar Naal - Great Heroes Day - and remember those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for liberation.
Commemorations took place despite a Sri Lankan crackdown this week, which intensified this morning. Riot police armed with shields and batons were sent to shut down a memorial event in Batticaloa, whilst in other parts of Eelam, Tamils were blocked from commemorating their heroes. Regardless, events took place at every district in the North-East.
Maaveerar Naal is marked on November 27 in memory of the first death of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadre (LTTE), Lt. Shankar who died in combat on November 27, 1982.
Dozens of Sri Lankan police officers stormed Maaveerar Naal commemorations at the Tharavai Thuyilum Illam in Batticaloa and arrested at least four Tamils earlier today.
Armed with riot shields and batons officers tore down red and yellow flags and pulled lamps out of the ground.
In other parts of Batticaloa, Tamils also gathered at the Mavadi Munmari Thuyilum Illam to pay respects to the fallen.
Sri Lankan police prevented dozens of Tamils, including a member of parliament, from commemorating Maaveerar Naal at the site of a cemetery housing the war dead earlier today, forcing them to light lamps on the roadsides of Amparai.
The Tamil Guardian broadcast live from the Kanagapuram Thuyilum Ilam in Kilinochchi as proceedings took place earlier today.
Thousands of Tamils gathered at the site of a destroyed LTTE cemetery in Kilinochchi to commemorate Maaveerar Naal. Kanagapuram was one of the largest of the several LTTE cemeteries, housing the bodies of hundreds of fallen cadres.
Sri Lankan police were seen tearing down red and yellow flags in Alampil, Mullaitivu, just hours before Maaveerar Naal commemorations are set to begin, even though an order was passed by Mullaitivu Magistrate Court this morning which stated that flags could be flown, the karthigai flower could be used, the term 'Thuyilum' could be used on any displays and banners and hymns could be played.
Maaveerar Naal commemorations were held at several locations across the Mullaitivu district, including the traditional Thuyilum Illams, as well as those that were later introduced to serve as resting places for those who fell in battle in the final stages of the armed conflict.
In Trincomalee, Sri Lankan police officers disrupted and blocked Tamils trying to mark Maaveerar Naal in Alankulam, where an LTTE cemetery was constructed.
In Jaffna, former Northern Provincial Council member N Shivajilingham and mother of Captain Pandithar lit a flame at the native home of Lt Shankar, the first LTTE cadre to sacrifice their life in the liberation struggle.
Shivajilingham also lit a flame outside Koppay Thuyilum Illam, an LTTE cemetery, which is currently occupied by the Sri Lankan Army’s 51 Division and the Kodikamam Thuyilum Illam, where the Sri Lankan military’s 522nd Brigade headquarters is now based.
University of Jaffna students also erected an arch outside their campus to mark the day.
Thousands of Tamils also gathered at LTTE cemeteries in Jaffna today, to pay tribute to the men and women who laid down their lives for the liberation of Tamil Eelam.
Thousands of Tamils gathered near Eechankulam Thuyilum Illam to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.
Thousands gather across Mannar at LTTE cemeteries to mark Maaveerar Naal. Remembrance events were also held at the Lady of Victory Church in Pesalai.
Students in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Batticaloa also held memorial events at their respective universities.
In the run-up to the day, the Sri Lankan military deployed a series of measures to try and prevent commemorations from taking place.
Activists faced arrest, court orders were sought, and memorials were destroyed.
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