A memorial to Lieutenant Shankar, the first fighter from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lose his life in the armed struggle, was renovated and freshly unveiled this week, ahead of the anniversary of his death on Monday.

On 23rd November, the University of Nottingham’s Tamil Society held a memorial event to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.

Events were held in the UK, Canada, and other places across the Tamil diaspora this week to honour the families of cadres who gave their lives in the struggle for Tamil Eelam.

In the run-up to Maaveerar Naal on November 27, the families of fallen fighters are traditionally honoured.

Such events have already taken place in the Tamil homeland, despite the intimidation of the Sri Lankan security forces.

Tamil newspapers on the island carried articles on Sunday to mark the 69^th birthday of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

“Leader Prabhakaran’s birthday today,” read the Uthayan front-page headline, above a photograph of the LTTE leader.

A blood donation drive was held at Abisha hospital in Mulliyawalai, Mullaitivu today to mark the sixth day of Maaveerar remembrance week. 

 
Drone footage shows preparations for the 36th Maaveerar Naal have been completed at Kanagapuram Thuyilum Illam in Kilinochchi this evening. 

Kanagapuram, a short distance from Kilinochchi town was one of the largest Thuyilum Illams built and maintained by the LTTE in the North-East. It was bulldozed over by the Sri Lankan state following the end of the armed conflict.

Sri Lankan police have prohibited the use of the karthigai poo - the Tamil national flower - at Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Mullaitivu. 

Former Northern Provincial Council member Thurairasa Ravikaran alongside other Maaveerar Naal organiseers were at Iraddai Vaikkal Thuyilum Illam when they were approached by Sri Lankan police officers. 

The Mullaitivu Magistrates Court issued an order on Friday 24 November 2023, prohibiting all remembrance events and places in Mullaitivu dedicated to fallen Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres ahead of Maaveerar Day (27 November 2023). The order, prompted by complaints made by the Mullaitivu police department, specifically targets several individuals and organisations involved in organising the commemorative events in the district. 

In advance of the 36th Maaveerar Naal commemoration, Tamils across the homeland are preparing cemeteries to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the armed struggle.

The 69^th birthday of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), was marked at several locations in Jaffna earlier today, including outside his childhood home.

Former MP M K Shivajilingam cut a cake in Valvettithurai, the leader's hometown, to mark the day.