Tamils commemorate Thileepan's sacrifice across the North-East

Tamils across the North-East are marking 37 years since the death of Lt Col Thileepan, a political wing leader of the LTTE, who fasted unto death in a protest appealing to the Indian government to honour pledges made to the Tamil people.

Two days before Thileepan began his fast, he put forward five demands  to the Indian government following the signing of the Indo-Lanka accord in July 1987.  The 23 year old passed away after refusing food and water for 11 days. 

Read more here: Remembering Thileepan's sacrifice 37 years on. 

Jaffna

In Jaffna, hundreds of Eelam Tamils gathered in Nallur, where Thileepan began his strike 37 years ago.  

A tribute was arranged in the main town so Tamils could pay their respects by laying flowers, garlands and by lighting candles. 

Students at the University of Jaffna laid flowers and observed a minute's silence on campus to commemorate Thileepan. 

Mannar

A solemn event was held in Mannar by the Tamil National Right to Life Movement headed by V.S Sivakaran. Candles were lit and floral wreaths were placed on a photograph of Thileepan. Several members of the organization, journalists, and civil society participated in the event. 

Vavuniya

Meanwhile,  Tamil families of the disappeared in Vavuniya also held an event to remember Lt. Col. Thileepan. Today also marks 2777 days of continous protest by the families of the disappeared who have been searching for their forcibly disappeared relatives.  Commenting at the event, the families said they do not have any faith a new Sri Lankan government will bring justice to the enforced disappearance of their loved ones. "We can only trace our children through an international mechanism,"  they said. 

Kilinochchi 

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi's (ITAK) Kilinochchi district branch held a remembrance event which was attended by ITAK MP S Shritharan.