The parents of fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were honoured at events in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu this week.
Maaveerar families were honoured in an event in Mulliyawali, Mullaitivu earlier today as events are taking place across the homeland in the run up to Maaveerar Naal.
A lamp was lit by the relatives of two fallen LTTE cadres before others laid flowers in memory of their loved ones who gave up their lives in the Tamil liberation struggle.
At the end of the event, the relatives were given coconut saplings.
Another similar event was also held in Kokkuthoduvai, Mullaitivu today to honour Maaveerar parents living in Kokkolai, Kokkuthoduvai and Karunatukerny.
Kanapathipillai Balasivarasa, the father of two Maaveerar lit the sacrificial lamp before flowers were laid in memory of the fallen Tamil fighters.
Former Northern Provincial Councillor Thurairasa Ravikaran and activist Peter Ilancheziyan were present at both events in Mullaitivu.
Relatives of Maaveerar were honoured at an event in Uruthirapuram, Kilinochchi yesterday, where they were also given coconut saplings.
Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes Day - remembers those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for freedom, and is marked on November 27, in memory of the first death of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadre, Lt. Shankar who died in combat on November 27, 1982.
The LTTE created the tradition of honouring Maaveerar families during Maaveerar remembrance week. Following the end of the armed conflict, public events honouring Maaveerar relatives were stopped in the homeland due to fears of harassment by Sri Lanka's security forces. In 2017, public events resumed despite initimdation by the state.
