Students at Jaffna University held a remembrance ceremony to mark 30 years since the death of Annai Poopathy.
Around 100 students gathered at the university campus today to pay their respects to the Batticaloa native, who died 30 years ago today.
A member of the Navatkerny Mother's Front, Poopathy Kanapathipillai, fondly referred to as Annai Poopathy ("mother Poopathy"), commenced a fast unto death on 19th March 1988 to protest the injustices and atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). She had called for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks between the IPKF and the LTTE.
Her 28 year old son was shot dead by the Sri Lankan army and another son randomly shot dead by the Special Task Force. Another son, arrested during round up operations, was held in Boosa army camp and subjected to severe torture.
She died on 19th April 1988, after thirty days of fasting.
