Local Tamils in Mannar celebrated the famed Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar this week, in a festival organised by the Mannar District Art and Culture Council and District Secretariat.
The festival saw a statute of Thiruvalluvar taken on a procession through the main streets of Mannar, before it was garlanded by local officials.
A selection of special dramas, poetry recitals, dance performances and speeches were also held to mark the occasion.