The Terrorism Investigation Department (TID), questioned two Tamil men for around four hours about last year’s Maaveerar Naal commemorations, that took place at the Theravil Maaveerar Thuyillum Illum in Mullaitivu.
Sundaralingam Yogalingam and Thambaiya Yogeswaran were investigated by four TID officers last Thursday at 11:30 am, for their involvement in preparing and organising the Maaveerar Naal event at the Theravil Maaveerar Thuyillum Illum.
Yogalingam, otherwise known as Yogan and a current coordinator for the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), was questioned for his role as the Thuyillum Illum’s secretary.
This was confirmed by the TNPF, who tweeted;
“Officers of the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) visited the home of our Visuwamadu coordinator, Yogan, this week and questioned him on last year's Maaveerar Naal commemorations.”
Yogeswaran was questioned with Yogalingam at his residence for their roles. He said he was asked why he was celebrating this event on Maaveerar on the 27th among other questions;
“I replied that we have a duty to memorialise and honour this culturally significant day. This day was designated to honour those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for us and has been followed by tradition every year by Tamil people. They questioned us about the people who organise the event and how it was funded. I informed them of the donations that were given by the local people. We were adamant that one way or another we will hold this event and the regime changes will not have any bearing on us having commemorations on this day. We did not hide the fact that we hoisted red and yellow flags and played songs for the memorial and will not be deterred from exercising our right to remember.”
He added he believes that this is a ploy to further create tension among the different ethnic groups and it is a politicised move misrepresenting Tamil’s right to remember;
I reiterate that the armed struggle was only initiated after it was forced as a last means by the oppressive government and in no way started as a means to destroy a race. However it looks to me like the current government is trying to create a divide between the North and South with actions like this and trying to make a story to make us look bad.”
