Tamils mark Maaveerar Naal 2017 worldwide

by Sivakami
Nov 26, 2017

Tamils across the world on November 27 and preceding days held events to mark Tamil National Remembrance Day or Maaveerar Naal. 

Maaveerar Naal, which remembers those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for freedom, is marked on November 27 yearly, in memory of the first death of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre in fighting -  Lt. Shankar died in combat on November 27, 1982. 

Since the end of the armed conflict, Tamils in the North-East have sought to mark today amid military repression. This year, for the second time since the end of armed conflict, Tamils across the North-East gathered at the LTTE cemeteries (Thuyilum Illam) which were demolished by the Sri Lankan military.

In the Tamil homeland the day saw participation on a scale not seen since the last Maaveerar Naal held by the LTTE in 2008. Families of fallen fighters were instrumental in the organisation of the events across in all eight districts. Many had quite openly requested politicians to stay away from the events. Indeed, virtually every event was led by the local community with no to minimal political participation. The sacrificial flames at each cemetery was lit by a family member of a Maaveerar, resident in the local area.

For live coverage of events follow us on Twitter - @TamilGuardian. See articles about events by region below.

Maaveerar Naal marked across the Tamil homeland
  

Thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations at destroyed Thuyilum Illam in Kilinochchi

  
 

Thousands gather all over Jaffna district to mark Maaveerar Naal

  
 

Maaveerar Naal commemorated across Batticaloa district

  
 

Thousands gather to commemorate Maaveerar Naal in Trincomalee for the first time since 2004

  
 

Maaveerar Naal reignited in the Vanni with commemorations across Mullaitivu

  
 

Hundreds gather to commemorate Maaveerar Naal at Aadkaaddiveli Thuyilum Illam in Mannar

  
 

Tamils in Vavuniya mark Maaveerar Naal

  
 

Amparai Tamils observe Maaveerar Naal

  
 

Students gather at universities to mark Maaveerar Naal

  

Read our Maaveerar Naal editorial - Resistance and resilience

 

Clearing and decorating of Thuyilam Illams across the North-East 

  
 
    
   

Preparations continue at Koppay Thuyilum Illam despite Sri Lankan military intimidation (26 Nov 2017)

  
 

Maaveerar parents inaugurate cleared Thuyilum Illam in Chatty (26 Nov 2017)

  
 

Thuyilum Illams decorated ahead of Maaveerar Naal (25 Nov 2017)

  
 

More Thuyilum Illams cleared in East ahead of Maaveerar Naal (22 Nov 2017)

  
 

Restoration continues at Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam (22 Nov 2017)

  
 

Maaveerar remembered at restored Valvettithurai monument (21 Nov 2017)

  
 

Further Thuyilam Illams cleared ahead of Maaveerar Naal (19 Nov 2017)

  
 

LTTE cemeteries in the East cleared before Maaveerar Naal (11 Nov 2017)

  
 

Sri Lankan Army prevent Thuyilum Illam clear-up (06 Nov 2017)

  
 

Clearing of LTTE cemeteries continues in preparation for Maaveerar Naal (04 Nov 2017)

  
 

Kilinochchi residents clear up destroyed Mulankavil LTTE cemetery (25 Oct 2017)

  
 

Sri Lankan police prevent community clear-up of destroyed LTTE cemetery in Mannar (18 Aug 2017)

  

 

Maaveerar Naal marked across the world
    Maaveerar Naal marked in Australia, New Zealand (28 Nov 2017)                                                      

Asia
 

Tamils in Myanmar commemorate Maaveerar Naal (27 Nov 2017)
  Thousands across Tamil Nadu mark Maaveerar Naal (09 Dec 2017)
  Tamils in Malaysia remember Maaveerar (09 Dec 2017)
  Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Qatar (09 Dec 2017)
  A private ceremony held in Thailand on November 27th.

Europe
 

Thousands of Tamils gather in London to commemorate Maaveerar Naal (27 Nov 2017)
 

Tamils across Europe commemorate Maaveerar Naal (27 Nov 2017)

North America

    
 

Maaveerar Naal marked by thousands in Toronto (28 Nov 2017)
 

Tamils in Washington DC area remember Maaveerar (28 Nov 2017)

 

 LTTE leader, V Prabhakaran's birthday celebrated across North-East
     
      

Prabhakaran's birthday marked in East (26 Nov 2017)                                                                         
 

Jaffna University marks Prabhakaran's birthday (26 Nov 2017)
 

Eelam Tamil flag hoisted in Valvettithurai (26 Nov 2017)
 

Velupillai Prabhakaran's birthday marked at his birth home (26 Nov 2017)
     
     
     

 

 

North-East prepares for Maaveerar Naal
     
     

Jaffna University decorated ahead of Maaveerar Naal (24 Nov 2017)                                             
   

ITAK leader calls on Tamils to honour Maaveerar at Thuyilum Illams (23 Nov 2017)

 
 

Parents of Maaveerar honoured in Kilinochchi (22 Nov 2017)
   

Remember the Maaveerar by assisting their families says Shivajilingam (22 Nov 2017)

 
 

First day of Maaveerar remembrance week marked in Mullaitivu (21 Nov 2017)
 

Jaffna University marks beginning of Remembrance Week (21 Nov 2017)
 

NPC members plant trees in Jaffna ahead of Maaveerar Naal (21 Nov 2017)
 

Jaffna youth donate blood as part of Maaveerar remembrance (20 Nov 2017)
 

Crusaders for Democracy honors Maaveerar parents in Mullaitivu (19 Nov 2017)

 

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