Members of the Tamil community in Mullathivu gathered at the Mullivaikkaal beach this morning to commemorate the thousands of Tamil civilians that died at the final stages of the armed conflict between the Sri Lankan armed forces and Liberation Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Mullivaikkaal beach was the last government designated 'No Fire Zone' that saw thousands of Tamil civilians shelled by Sri Lanka's state forces. The event was attended by religious leaders from the local community and inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council. The leader of the Tamil National Alliance R Sampanthan and senior members of the TNA including MA Sumanthiran and Maavai Senanthirajah were also present.
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During the speeches made by attending politicians, a member of the public questioned a previous statement made by the TNA leader in parliament where he labelled members of the Tamil militant struggle terrorists. The question sparked outrage amongst the crowd who called for the politicians to stop speaking, noting that the leader of the TNA seldom appeared at remembrance events.
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The event continued with the lighting of a flame to commemorate massacred civilians with family members placing flowers in their memory.
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Military personnel and plain clothed CID officers were seen present at the perimeters of the event.