Tamils in the North-East mark day 5 of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week

Tamils in the North-East are marking the fifth day of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Week by distributing kanji to honour the victims of the massacre at Mullivaikkal. 

Over the last few days, Mullivaikkal kanji has been distributed in the lead-up to May 18, also known as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. The sharing of kanji is an attempt by Tamils in the homeland and abroad to chronicle their struggles, understand their plight, and honour them in their deaths.

Mannar

Events were held in Nanattan and at the main bus stand in Mannar this morning, as Tamils gathered to commemorate Mullivaikkal through the preparation and distribution of the Mullivaikkal Kanji. 

Vanni

A memorial float bearing images of Tamils which was taken during the height of the genocide and a monument was taken through the town of Vanni. Several Tamils laid flowers, lit candles and held prayers before the float. The float was arranged by the Tamil National People's Front will travel throughout the homeland before reaching the Mullivaikkal memorial yard on May 18th. 

Vavuniya

Family members and relatives of Tamils who were forcibly taken away by Sri Lanka's security forces held a commemorative Mullivaikkal Kanji event at Illuppayadi in Vavuniya. Several Tamils in the area support the association in helping to prepare and share the kanji. 

Mullaitivu

Tamil families of the disappeared served kanji to several residents in Mullaitivu. 

Jaffna

Meanwhile, students are the University of Jaffna erected red and yellow flags on campus and by a memorial monument dedicated to the victims, ahead of commemorations on Saturday. In January 2021 Sri Lankan authorities bulldozed the original memorial monument.

Jaffna University students staged a demonstration outside the university entrance that evening as the authorities toppled the monument located on the campus. A replacement memorial monument was unveiled in April 2021.