Commemoration events to remember Thiyagi Thileepan commenced

The partially damaged memorial of Thiyagi Thileepan decorated for commeocrative events today in Nallur, Jaffna. Pix: Northeastern Monitor/ N.Lohathayaln

The 37th commemoration events to mark the death of Thiyagi Thileepan commenced today at his memorial in Nallur, Jaffna. Youths, political activists and university students took part in the event. 

The event commenced at 9.45 am- the exact time late Thileepan started his fast unto death campaign 37 years ago with the lighting oil lamp by mother of fallen cadre Roshan followed by an ex- cadre. Those who gathered offered flowers and garlands for at the partially damaged memorial to remember him. 

  

Earlier, Jaffna police have sought a court order from Jaffna Magistrate Courts to ban annual commemoration events of Thiyagi Thileepan. The application is to be taken up for hearing on Tuesday (18). 

Known by the nom de guerre Thileepan, Rasaiah Parthipan, one time Jaffna Commander of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) died while on fast unto death campaign in 1987 after twelve days of continuous protest campaign demanding Tamil peoples' rights and urged India to keep its assurances it made at that time. (Northeastern Monitor/ September 15/2024)