Tamil Homeland Marks Final Day of Thileepan’s 38th Anniversary Remembrance

27-Sep-2025

.

The 38th anniversary commemorations of Thiyaga Theepam Thileepan were held on September 26 across several parts of the North and East. Thileepan, who sacrificed his life through a hunger strike demanding five conditions for Tamil liberation, was remembered with ceremonies marking his final day.

At his memorial in Nallur, Jaffna, a flame was lit at 10:48 a.m., the exact time of his death, as tribute. In Point Pedro, from 8 a.m. onwards, residents of Vadamarachchi observed a symbolic hunger strike at the Thileepan Memorial Hall.

A “public flame of sacrifice” was lit by the parents of fallen Maaveeran Pootchithamizh, Paranjothi and Thavamani, followed by the garlanding of Thileepan’s portrait and floral tributes by attendees. Religious leaders including a Moulavi and a Hindu priest, representatives of political parties, local authority members, civil society groups, and the general public participated in the memorial service.

In Mullaitivu, the Puthukudiyiruppu Traders’ Association organized a commemorative event where traders closed their shops in tribute. The memorial flame was lit by Attorney-at-Law Dhananjayan, after which traders and local residents laid floral tributes before Thileepan’s portrait. The event concluded with a remembrance address.

Civil society activists also organized the 38th anniversary commemoration at the Sivan Temple premises in Trincomalee, drawing wide participation.