Tamils mark Maaveerar Naal 2016 worldwide

25 November 2016

Tens of thousands of Tamils across the world on November 27 and the days leading up to it held events to mark Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day).

The day, which remembers those who sacrificed their lives in the Tamil struggle for freedom, is marked on November 27 in memory of the first death of a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre in fighting. Lt. Shankar died in combat on November 27, 1982.

27 Nov 2016 - Maaveerar commemoration at Kanagapuram thuyilum illam in Kilinochchi

North-East

For the first time since the end of the armed conflict, Tamils in the North-East gathered by thuyilum illams (LTTE resting homes) across the North-East, which had been destroyed by the Sri Lankan military following the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009.

Cleaning and moving away the rubble with their own bare hands, locals lit flames and lamps to remember the fallen cadres.

Thousands gather at destroyed LTTE cemeteries to mark Maaveerar Naal

Tamils across the North-East marked Maaveerar Naal by gathering at the site of destroyed LTTE cemeteries across the North-East, where they collected broken gravestones and held memorial events to remember cadres that lost their lives in the struggle for liberation.

Families gather by Mullaitivu shore to remember Maaveerar

Families gathered by the shores of Mullaitivu to mark Maaveerar Naal on November 27.

In an emotional event, families cried as they lit fires and lamps to remember fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres, sending the lamps adrift in the waters where so many LTTE cadres and Tamil civilians perished at the last stages of the armed conflict in 2009.

Tamil political parties commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Tamil political parties and party members paid tribute to fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam cadre on Saturday November 27 with remembrance events marking Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day).

Maaveerar Naal commemorated privately in homes across North-East

In addition to public events this year, Maaveerar Naal continued to be marked privately in people's homes, as many remained fearful of military intelligence officers and reprisal.

Batticaloa's Maaveerar Naal

Tamils in an undisclosed location in the Batticaloa district marked the Tamil national remembrance day on Sunday.

Maaveerar Naal in Vakarai, Batticaloa

Maaveerar Naal was marked in several locations in Batticaloa, including Kathiraveli, Vakarai with TNA MP S. Viyalenthiran in attendance.

Students at Eastern University commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Over 200 students at Eastern University commemorated Maaveerar Naal at the Vantharumoolai campus in Batticaloa and the Swami Vipulananda Institute in Kalladi on Saturday.

Maaveerar Naal marked at Jaffna Uni

Students at the University of Jaffna marked Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day) on November 27, following on from the remembrance event which took place two days earlier.

Maaveerar remembered outside Koappay army camp

NPC Councillors S Shivajilingam and S Sajeevan led Maaveerar Naal commemorations outside the headquarters of the military's 51 Division - formerly the site of an LTTE cemetery.

North-East Tamil papers mark Maaveerar Naal

Many front pages in the North-East Tamil press marked today's Maaveerar Naal, the Tamil remembrance day. The Uthayan, the Valampuri and Kalai Kathir were amongst the papers dedicating entire pages to the commemorations.

Maaveerar Naal marked in Nallur

Tamils gathered by the destroyed Thileepan monument in Nallur on Saturday to take part in one of the many Maaveerar Naal commemorative events taking place across the North-East on November 27.

Maaveerar Naal commemoration in Amparai

Tamils in Amparai laid karthigaipoo, lamps and the Tamil Eelam national flag in their commemoration of Maaveerar Naal.

Catholic service in Mannar to remember Maaveerar

A congregation in Mannar held a mass this morning, in remembrance of all Tamil liberation fighters who died in the war against oppression by Sri Lanka.

Maaveerar Naal commemorated in Vavuniya

A ceremony was held in Vavuniya on Sunday to remember all those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the Tamil homeland.

Jaffna uni pays tribute to fallen cadres ahead of Maaveerar Naal

Students and staff at the University of Jaffna marked Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day) on November 25, lighting candles in memory of those who gave their lives to the Tamil struggle.

Maaveerar Naal remembrance posters displayed at Jaffna Uni

Posters marking Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day) were placed around the University of Jaffna as students and staff held remembrance events on November 25.

Locals clean LTTE cemeteries in Kilinochchi

Tamils in the Kilinochchi district gathered at the sites of cemeteries for fallen LTTE cadres to tidy the remains of the tomb stones, ahead of Maaveerar Naal, the Tamil remembrance day, on November 27.

NPC plants trees to remember those who died in Tamil struggle

The Northern Provincial Council on November 1st launched a tree planting initiative to span across the month of November in memory of all those who died in for the Tamil homeland.

Europe

Thousands of British Tamils commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Over 10,000 Tamils gathered at London's Queen Elizabeth park to pay hommage to cadres that lost their lives fighting Sri Lanka's armed forces.

Danish Tamil uni students commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Students at Aarhus University in Denmark marked Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day) on Friday.

London shopfronts display Tamil national flag for Maaveerar week

Tamil businesses across London mark Maaveerar week by flying the Tamil national flag in their shopfronts.

All Party Parliamentary Group For Tamils calls for public commemoration of Maaveerar Naal

The chair of the British All Party Parliamentary Group For Tamils called on Sri Lanka to allow the Tamil community to publically mark Maaveerar Naal annually, without intimidation or harrassment from Sri Lankan security forces.

London students mark Maaveerar Naal

Student commemorations of Maaveerar Naal were held at the University College London, led by Tamil Youth Organisation UK last Wednesday.

Tamils in Norway observe Maaveerar Naal

Thousands in Norway marked Maaveerar Naal on Sunday, as Tamils across the world remembered their fallen heroes.

French Tamils remember fallen heroes on Maaveerar Naal

The Tamil community in Paris gathered to mark Maaveerar Naal on Sunday, with thousands attending a commemoration ceremony.

Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Danish cities

Thousands of Danish Tamils attended Maaveerar Naal commemorations in the cities of Herning and Holbaek.

Thousands attend Maveerar Naal in Switzerland

Thousands of people attended Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Switzerland last month, as Tamils across the word remembered the lives lost in the Tamil freedom struggle.

North America

Tamils in Toronto commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Thousands of Tamils in Toronto, Canada commemorated Maaveerar Naal at a number of events across the city, including a large one at Markham Fairgrounds.

US Tamils mark Maaveerar Naal

American Tamils in several states marked Maaveerar Naal with events in their localities.

Commemoration events took place across the US, including in Boston, the DC metro area, Florida, San Francisco, North Carolina and New York City.

Oceania

Asylum seekers in Nauru camp mark Maaverar Naal

Tamil asylum seekers being held in detention at Nauru Island marked Maaveerar Naal on Sunday, in a ceremony held at the immigration detention facility.

Thousands across Australia mark Maaveerar Naal

A series of commemorations events took places across Australia on Sunday in five different locations across the country - Syndey, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne.

Asia

Maaveerar Naal marked by Myanmar Tamils

Tamils in Myanmar commemorated Maaveerar Naal at an event in the nation's largest city Yangon.

Tamils in Indonesia commemorate Maaveerar Naal

Tamils in Indonesia on Sunday marked Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day) with the lighting of lamps and laying of flowers by the photographs of fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre.

Tamils in Doha mark Maaveerar Naal

Tamils in Doha, Qatar, marked Maaveerar Naal (Tamil national remembrance day) this weekend, creating a shrine of remembrance with photographs of fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre.

Tens of thousands across Tamil Nadu remember Maaveerar

Tens of thousands of people across Tamil Nadu held events to mark Maaveerar Naal last week as they gathered to remember the lives sacrificed in the Eelam Tamil struggle for liberation.

Features

Muslim Maaveerar of the Tamil Struggle

Tamil Guardian publishes a brief sample of Muslim Maaveerar.

A Symbol of Endless Hope

Young Tamil artists pay tribute to Maaveerar.

Editorial

Remembering and rebuilding

Today, Tamils across the globe will collectively light candles, lay flowers and bow heads in memory of those who gave their lives resisting state oppression. Marking the legacy of these heroes has become an integral moment of solidarity for the entire nation. In the Tamil homeland, commemorations have already begun this week, in a defiant series of events that have continued to grow since the armed conflict ended.

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