Tamils observe ‘Maaveerar Day’ amidst heavy downpour

*Tamils observe ‘Maaveerar Day’ amidst heavy downpour* 

Braving heavy rains and cyclonic threat, Tamils in the North and East observed their annual ‘Maaveerar Day’-a day when they remember the war dead and paid tributes to them.

Lighting of lamps for those who lost their lives in the brutal civil war along with solemn prayers marked the occasion.

Families of those who lost their dear ones joined common prayers and assembled at ‘Maaveerar Thuyilam Illam’ (resting place)–a cemetery for the war dead and temples and churches to offer their tributes.

Special makeshift pandals were also erected by the Tamils for the people to come and pay their respects those who fought for what they call for the liberation of their traditional homeland in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

Prayers and tributes were offered at more than 200 such resting places and pandals in almost all the districts of North & East.

Local journalists say, unlike in the previous years, no restrictions were placed by the new NPP government or efforts made to stop the events through a sinister court injunction.

Despite continuous rain pour for the past few days Tamils in large numbers engaged in clearing the places where people gathered to pay tributes and decorated the place with red and yellow flags, which locals say fluttered amidst rain and wind. 

Hundreds of people gathered at the Kanagapuram ‘Thuyilum Illam’ where tributes were paid braving the rain. 

Similar events were held in Mullaitivu Theravil, Mannar Atkattiveli, and Jaffna Kodikamam resting places where friends and family members including children gathered to pay tributes. 

In Jaffna- the hotbed of Tamil politics people from various walks of life gathered at many places organized for the event. 

Notably, people gathered at ‘Maaveerar Sankar Illam, Maaveerar Pandithar Illam, Maaveerarkal Kuttimani, Thangathurai, and Jagan memorial pillar in Valvettithurai, as well in the ‘Thyaga Theepam’ Thileepan memorial in Nallur.

At Batticaloa, homage was paid at the Tharavai resting place and the Eastern University Campus. People turned out in large numbers with flowers, candles, and incense sticks to offer tributes despite being drenched heavily in the rains. 

After 15 years’ parents of those who lost their lives in the war with the Sri Lankan security forces and interned in Theravil cemetery were present to offer homage to their sons and daughters. 

Events were also organized at Tharmapuram in Killinochi district and the Koppai ‘Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam’ and the Jaffna University.

Lamps were lit in the Maavadi cemetery in Batticaloa and respects paid the ‘fallen heros’.

While in Mullivaikkal parents of those who fell during the war, their relatives, former LTTE cadres, public gathered braving heavy rain and paid solemn tributes. Flowers, lamps, candles, coconuts, and fruits were among those things offered to the war dead. 

“We gathered here to pay respect for the high ideals with which our children fought and died for the liberation of our homeland” parents gathered told local journalists.

Tributes were also paid at the Mallavi Alangulam cemetery.

Tamil National People’s Front leader and Jaffna district MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam joined his party colleagues at an event in the Kanjikudichary cemetery and paid floral tributes and lit lamps.

In Batticaloa, Vaharai Kandaladi cemetery, local MP Shanakkiyan Rasamanikkam participated along with their party people and the public in paying respects and homage to those who fell during the brutal war.

His colleagues from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi, Sivagnanam Siritharan, and Thurairasa Raviharan joined the Tamils in paying tributes in their respective areas.

However, Tamil MPs elected on the NPP ticket from the North and East refrained from participating in the ‘Hero’s Day’ tribute events.

‘Maaveerar Naal’ or Hero’s Day is observed by the Tamils annually on the 27th of November to recall those who were killed in the civil war to pay solemn tributes.