Tamil diaspora groups gather in Switzerland to commemorate LTTE leader Pirabhakaran

 

Leader of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) V. Pirabhakaran

A group of Tamil diaspora organizations based in Western countries come together to mark the death of slain leader of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) V. Pirabhakaran at a public event in Basel, Switzerland on August 2, sources said. 

This would be first time, group of Tamil diaspora groups have come forward to accept the truth about the death of LTTE leader despite various conspiracy theories were floated about his death since the end of civil war on May 18, 2009. Sri Lankan military earlier announced that LTTE leader was killed on May 19, 2009. 

The organizations which consist of ex- cadres and former senior leaders who served in the organization while it was active before 2009 decided to come to a closure on the death of their one-time leader whose over two decades long war campaign for a separatist state within the island. 

According to the organizers, the event will witness public announcement on the death of LTTE leader and opening a memorial erected to commemorate him in Switzerland where LTTE is not a prescribed organization unlike other Western countries. 

However, pro LTTE outfits rejected the claims of the groups and said the move is counterproductive for Tamil cause. (Northeastern Monitor/ July 25/ 2025)