‘Knowledge is power’ - Tamil youth across the world honour Thileepan

Tamil youth across the diaspora marked the 38th remembrance of Lt Col Thileepan this September with a month-long international campaign that combined art, political activism, and protest by activist group Phoenix: The Next Generation.

From Bern to London to Melbourne, the campaign echoed the spirit of Thileepan’s 1987 fast-unto-death, transforming remembrance into renewed calls for justice, accountability and Tamil sovereignty.

Australia

In Australia, Tamils across the country joined the 30-hour global hunger strike, conducted in coordination with diaspora communities around the world.

On 28 September at the Chandler Community Centre in Melbourne, a programme of music, poetry and film was held to mark Thileepan's sacrifice. The evening began with a moment of silence, a flag-raising ceremony and Malar Vanakkam, before moving into a programme of music, poetry and film. Performances included Tamil Eelam songs by Sajinthan Kunarasa, poetry by Sabareeshan Mukunthan and Bavithran Mukuthan, and a reading of Thileepan’s speech by Luxika Kannan. Siblings Thuvarahan and Abitharany Chandran performed their original Maaveerar song Viduthalai.

Performances included Tamil Eelam songs by Sajinthan Kunarasa, poetry by Sabareeshan Mukunthan and Bavithran Mukuthan, and a reading of Thileepan’s speech by Luxika Kannan. Siblings Thuvarahan and Abitharany Chandran performed their original Maaveerar song Viduthalai.

Co-organiser Thaaraga Sivachandran explained that the initiative was about ensuring younger generations continued to carry forward the memory. “Even if it’s just two of us [as hosts], that act itself is resistance. We are not here just to perform, we are here to carry forward a legacy,” she said.

For fellow co-host Abitharany Chandran, being close to Thileepan’s age made the remembrance feel especially significant. “Thileepan Anna was only 23 when he led the hunger strike. Being almost his age, we felt the responsibility to follow his pathway of creating change,” she said.

The event also screened Sivachandran’s short film Adangatha Theepam and the music video Born in Eelam by UK-based composer Magizhan Santhors. It closed with the debut of Sathyam, a Villu Paatu performed by Tamil youth, portraying the struggle between “Sathyam” (truth) and “Aatchi” (power).

Reflecting on the event, Thaaraga said she used music, film and traditional storytelling as a way to “sing truth that cannot be silenced.” Abitharany added that they hoped the message would resonate beyond the Tamil community. “It’s important more youth learn about our struggles, regardless of their background. Knowledge is power, and through unity, we can preserve our history,” she said.

^{Photography by Native Productions Australia}

Switzerland

In Switzerland, representatives from Phoenix TNG were invited to meet the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern. During the meeting, they presented a formal statement challenging Sri Lanka’s record on mass graves such as Chemmani, the fate of the disappeared, and the militarisation of the North-East.

The delegation argued that “accountability cannot come from within the same state that perpetrated the crimes,” stressing the need for a credible, internationally monitored justice process and a two-state solution with Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam coexisting as equals.

They drew parallels to Switzerland’s own federal model, highlighting how peaceful self-determination is both viable and necessary.

On 20 September, the HFT Open Stage Switzerland brought together members of three generations of the Tamil diaspora. The evening featured live art, poetry, and music, including a live painting of Thileepan and performances of classic Tamil Eelam songs.

The event closed with the lighting of the Malarmaalai and the playback of Thileepan’s 1987 speech, creating a space for both reflection and renewed commitment.

Later that week, Phoenix members met with the Mothers of the Disappeared, reaffirming solidarity with families still searching for justice.

A Vanakka Nihazhvu ceremony followed, honouring not only Thileepan and Maveerar, but also Lt Col Sankar, Kurdish martyrs, Bobby Sands, and victims of the Armenian genocide.

A Saiva poosai (prayer) organised with the Swiss Saivenerikoodam closed the remembrance, blending political activism with spiritual reflection.

United Kingdom

In London, an event took place on 21 September, with Parai drumming, a traditional Tamil art form of resistance.
Performers delivered a moving display of rhythm and protest, accompanied by Tamil singers performing Eelam songs that paid tribute to Thileepan’s sacrifice.

The event also featured speeches by a Kurdish representative, LTTE veterans, and members of Phoenix TNG, who tied the Tamil liberation struggle to broader global movements for justice and self-determination.

An art exhibition showcased LTTE artefacts, photographs of martyrs, and symbols of solidarity with other liberation movements.

“The Open Stages were not just cultural gatherings,” organisers said. “They were political platforms reminding us that Thileepan’s fast was never just about concessions, but about asserting Tamil sovereignty.”

Across all three countries, a 30-hour hunger strike was undertaken without food or water by Tamil youth on 25 September. "Each year, the hunger strike is accompanied by the submission of petitions and statements
of demands to international institutions and host governments," organisers said.

Demands included, the immediate release of all Tamil political prisoners held under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, an end to the militarization and state-sponsored colonization of the Tamil homeland, an independent international investigations into mass graves and the fate of the disappeared, the full return of land seized by the Sri Lankan military to Tamil civilians, monitored by international bodies, recognition of the Sri Lankan army as an occupying force in the North-East of the island, an internationally monitored referendum on Tamil self-determination, in line with the Vaddukoddai Resolution, including both homeland Tamils and the diaspora.