Grieving Relatives Forced Out of Cemetery by Sri Lankan Troops

01-12-2021

Malene Solheim

Sri Lanka and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

Tamils were interrupted by Sri Lankan troops during a commemoration gathering on November 27th (The Hindu, 2021). November 27th has become known as Maaveerar Naal and is dedicated to commemorate the Tamil lives that got lost during the decade long civil war. Tamils had gathered in a cemetery in the northwestern fishing town of Mullaittivu to light lamps and grieve their lost relatives (The Hindu, 2021). The town of Mullaittivu holds special importance as the last battle of the civil war was fought there (AlJazeera, 2021).

A journalist that reported from the commemoration ceremony in Mullaittivu was beaten up by the Sri Lankan troops (AlJazeera, 2021). 

Harassment, violence and discrimination have been part of everyday life of Tamils in Sri Lanka ever since the civil war ended. In the days leading up to Maaveerar Naal, Sri Lankan police set up new checkpoints surrounding the northeastern region of Sri Lanka to limit traffic into the Tamil Eelam region (Tamil Guardian, 2021). 

By the Sri Lankan troops interrupting Maaveerar Naal and the police implementing checkpoints, it is clear that the echoes from the civil war are not over yet and the conflict is still ongoing. 

Sources and further reading:

New checkpoints set up in the run up to Maaveerar Naal, Tamil Guardian, Nov 20 2021, https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/new-checkpoints-set-run-maaveerar-naal  

Sri Lankan troops break up Tamil remembrance of civil war dead, 29 November 2021 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/29/sri-lanka-troops-tamil-remembrance-civil-war-dead 

Sri Lankan troops break up Tamil memorial for war dead, 29 November 2021, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lankan-troops-break-up-tamil-memorial-for-war-dead/article37758534.ece