Tamil nation commemorates Maaveerar Naal 2019

Tamils across Eelam and around the world marked Maaveerar Naal this year, remembering all those that gave their lives to the Tamil liberation struggle.

Across the North-East, Tamils gathered at destroyed LTTE cemeteries and other sites of tribute across the homeland, despite intimidation and harassment from Sri Lankan security forces. In both Mannar and Vavuniya, preparations were destroyed by unknown groups, suspected to be linked to the Sri Lankan security forces.

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North-East

Mullaitivu

Commemorations were held across Mullaitivu, the district with the highest number of thuyilum illams in the Tamil homeland.

Maaveerar Naal held all over Mullaitivu

Kilinochchi

Thousands mark Maaveerar Naal at destroyed cemeteries in Kilinochchi

Mannar

Mannar Tamils defy threats to mark Maaveerar Naal

Vavuniya

Tamils defy military threats to mark Maaveerar Naal in Vavuniya

Batticaloa

Grief and resistance in Batticaloa as thousands attend Maaveerar Naal commemorations

Students at the Eastern University commemorated Maaveerar Naal at the university's Vantharumoolai campus in Batticaloa.

Maaveerar Naal marked at Eastern University

Trincomalee

Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Trincomalee

Amparai

Maaveerar Naal marked at destroyed cemetery in Amparai

Jaffna

Maaveerar Naal marked at Jaffna's destroyed LTTE cemeteries

At Jaffna University, hundreds of students broke through the locked gates and laid flowers before a memorial, defying a ban announced by authorities yesterday.

Students break through gates to commemorate Maaveerar Naal at Jaffna University

Jaffna University admin declares campus ‘out of bounds’ ahead of Maaveerar Naal

Jaffna University administration bans Maaveerar Naal commemorations

Jaffna University cancels working session after students defy Maaveerar Naal ban

Commemorations began in Jaffna this morning with locals gathering in front of a destroyed monument to Lt Col Thileepan in Nallur, to pay tribute to those that died in the Tamil liberation struggle.

Maaveerar Naal tributes begin in Nallur

Tamil school students at Jaffna Hindu College marked Maaveerar Naal this morning by lighting candles and planting trees in remembrance of those who gave their lives in the Tamil liberation struggle.

Jaffna Hindu College students mark Maaveerar Naal

The head of the the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and other senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) politicians commemorated Maaveerar Naal at their Jaffna office earlier today, as they paid tribute to fallen liberation fighters.

ITAK commemorates Maaveerar Naal

Europe

Maaveerar Naal was observed by thousands of Tamils across Europe, where they gathered in various cities to pay tribute to the fallen.

Maaveerar Naal observed by Tamils across Europe

Tamil Nadu

Thousands of Tamil from across Tamil Nadu held Maaveerar Naal commemorations yesterday in solidarity with Eelam Tamils.

Maaveerar Naal commemorations held across Tamil Nadu

North America

Across North America, Tamils stood in solidarity with those in the homeland to remember the sacrifice made and lives lost during the Tamil liberation struggle.

Tamils across North America commemorate Maaveerar Naal 2019

Britain

Thousands of British Tamils gathered in London, Oxford and Glasgow to mark Maaveerar Naal.

Thousands of British Tamils mark Maaveerar Naal across the UK

British Tamil university students commemorated the Tamil fighters that fought and lost their lives in the liberation struggle, this Wednesday across the country.

British Tamil students hold Maaveerar Naal tributes

British Tamil businesses began preparing to commemorate Maaveerar Naal by flying Tamil Eelam flags at stores across the UK.

British Tamil businesses prepare to mark Maaveerar Naal

Australia and New Zealand

Tamils in Australia and New Zealand gather to commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Preparations had begun several weeks beforehand, with locals clearing cemeteries that had been destroyed by Sri Lankan security forces. Despite ongoing harassment, including the destruction of preparations this week, Tamils defied the military intimidation and joined events across the North-East.