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The newly built memorial stone to mark the grave of Murugathasan Varnakulasingham - the Tamil youth who, outraged at international apathy and inaction in the face of the genocide of Tamils, self-immolated in protest outside the United Nations in Geneva on 12th February 2009 - was unveiled formally on Sunday by his mother, Mrs Varnakulasingham.
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A tearful Mrs Varnakulasingham prayed at her son's grave before placing a flower garland over the tombstone.
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Candles and flowers were placed on the memorial stone by those present.
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The memorial stone was specially designed by the Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO UK) and erected with the support of the Tamil Coordination Committee UK (TCC UK). In a book sculpted at the end of the grave, Murugathasan's parting words are engraved: "the flames over my body will be a torch to guide you through the liberation path."
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Speaking to Tamil Guardian on Friday, a TYO UK representative said:
"Murugathasan anna's outrage and agony at seeing the events of 2009 moved Tamil youth around the world. His death is, and always will be a great loss to our nation. Yet, we remain humbled by his conviction, and his passion."
"His determination to speak out against injustice.. against the genocide of our nation, is an inspiration to all of us. Especially to us the youth, and that's why we wanted to honour his memory."
