Tens of thousands of people participated in the Heroes’ Day events organized in Tamil areas in Sri Lanka to remember the Tamils who lost their lives in the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Tamil militant groups including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fought for the separation of the north-eastern provinces in Sri Lanka, where the majority of Tamils live, to form a separate state called Tamil Eelam.
This struggle, which went through many stages, eventually reached a stage where only the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were in the field. In 2008-09, the LTTE suffered major setbacks in the war. The areas under their control kept shrinking. Eventually they were narrowed down to the Nandic Sea area in Mullai Island District.
In May of that year, the LTTE was completely defeated in a fierce battle between the LTTE and Sri Lankan government forces. The Sri Lankan government has been accused of killing tens of thousands of people in this war, and tens of thousands more have gone missing.
The Sri Lankan government also accused the LTTE of using people and minors as shields. Both sides have been accused of human rights abuses.
They observed 27th November every year as Heroes’ Day to remember their soldiers who died in the war during the LTTE.
After the final war in 2009, the LTTE disappeared completely, but due to the event that killed tens of thousands of people in that final war, the day acquired an emotional significance among Tamils. Every year there are attempts to observe this event publicly, but the government usually prevents it.
It seems that the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka this year, the intense people’s struggle, the political crisis, and the harmony between the Sinhalese and Tamil people during this struggle have also brought about a change in the attitude of the government.
Hence, this year’s Remembrance Day events known as ‘Memorial Day’ took place in many places in the North-Eastern Provinces with huge participation.
The biggest of these events took place at Kilinochchi Kanakapuram at a place known as the ‘Maveerar Tuilum House’.
The bell was rung at 6:30 p.m. today as the first event. Following this, the Tamil people observed a two-minute silence in memory of their relatives who lost their lives in the war.
Later, the torch was lit and prayers were offered in memory of those who lost their lives in the war.
The organizing committee told BBC Tamil that the largest number of people attended the Veterans Day events held in 2009 after the end of the war.
A gathering to remember relationships
Organizers said that more than 20,000 people attended the Veterans Memorial Day event today and paid tribute to their relatives.
Today more than 3600 coconut saplings were brought to Maveerar Tuhil Illa premises.
These coconut saplings were placed in a row and arrangements were made to light a lamp near it.
Those who have lost their loved ones sit near coconut trees, place photographs of their deceased relatives, garland them, light lamps and pay tearful tributes.
The memorial obelisks set up at Maveerar Duhil’s house had already been broken by the army. The obelisks have now been piled up at one place and tributes have been paid to that place today.
As in the past, the government has not imposed any ban on observing this day. However, security measures were strengthened in various areas.
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