Tamils brave intimidation to remember heroes in Amparai

Hundreds of Tamils gathered at the Kanchikudiyaru Thuyilum Illam in Amparai today to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the Tamil liberation struggle, despite Sri Lankan intelligence surveillance earlier this week.

At 6.05PM local time, a flame was lit at the site of the destroyed cemetery, which local organisers had painstakingly cleared in recent weeks. The event took place despite Pushparaj Dushanthan, the head of the memorial committee at Kanchikudiyaru thuyilum illam, telling reporters he was being followed by intelligence officers due to his role in organising Maaveerar Naal - or Great Heroes' Day – commemorations.

Hundreds, including the families of fallen fighters and former cadres themselves, gathered to mark the day and pay tribute.