Marking the eleventh anniversary of the Mullivaikkal Massacre, People for Equality and Relief in Sri Lanka (PEARL) have released a statement mourning the loss of approximate 70-140,000 Tamils during the finals stages of the war but also maintaining that the “liberation struggle lives on”.

The collective trauma of Mullivaikkal

In remembering the events of Mullivaikkal, PEARL states that “the collective trauma of Mullivaikkal has left an indelible mark on the psyche of Tamils across the world”.

Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa said a “sense of pride and joy overwhelms me” as he marked 11 years since May 19, 2009, whilst Tamils around the world mourned the tens of thousands massacred by state forces.

“I write this message with utmost contentment and pride to pay homage to the valiant war heroes who defeated separatist terrorism and brought peace and harmony to the country,” said Rjapaksa in a message this morning.

A Mullivaikkal remembrance event, held by the leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), Selvam Adaikalanathan, took place at 6:15pm, yesterday.

The special tribute took place at TELO’s headquarters in Vavuniya.

A memorial event led by the “Wings of Fire” organisation to mark the Mullivaikkal genocide, was held by the Kudiyiruppu reservoir in Vavuniya yesterday evening.

During preparations for the event, intelligence units and police officials - including chief officers and assistant officers – had warned that this “common place” should not to be used to hold a memorial event.

A vigil for the Mullivaikkal genocide was held at St Fatima Church in Puthukkidiyiruppu, Mullaitivu. 

The Mullivaikkal genocide was remembered at former MP Sivamohan's office in Katkuly. 

A Mullivaikkal event was held at Vavunathivu, Batticaloa and candle tributes were made.

The event led by chair of the families of disappeared in Batticaloa, A. Amalanayagi, happened today at 10:30am.

The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) were stopped from entering a church in Jaffna on May 18 to hold a Mullivaikkal vigil.

Senior British politicians from across the political spectrum have commemorated eleven years since the massacres at Mullivaikkal with messages calling for accountability and genocide recognition, whilst also praising the British Tamil community for their resilience.

See messages from British lawmakers below.