Black Sea Tiger Major Puhalini remembered

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 15 June 2004, 00:10 GMT]
Major Puhalini, member of the Black Sea Tiger wing of the Liberation Tigers, who died on 30 July, 2003 in a boat mishap in international waters, was remembered Sunday evening in Muttur east in Trincomalee district. Her mother Ms Vadivelu unveiled the memorial plaque constructed at Alankulam Heroes Cemetary, sources said.

At the commencement of the event the photograph of Major Puhalini was taken in a procession from her home to Ilankaithurai Muhathuwaram Tamil School where large number of people were waiting to pay homage to her.

Ms Vadivelu lit the flame of sacrifice and garlanded the photograph of her daughter Major Puhalini. Ms Yalisai, Head of the Trincomalee District Martyrs Office, lit the common flame of sacrifice, sources said.

LTTE Muttur area political head Mr.Thangan presided.

LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.S.Elilan participating in the event said, "We lost several of our cadres during the war. We have lost 33 of our cadres during the ceasefire period. We remain patient because we are firmly committed to achieving permanent peace for our people."

"President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge said at the recent discussion she had with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians that the reason for the current stalemate in the peace process was due to her distrust of the LTTE. She should understand that we have exercised utmost restraint and have shown our determination to reach a negotiated solution through the peace process amid loss of our several cadres of Sea Tigers and Black Sea Tigers during the ceasefire period," said Mr.Elilan.

Sea Tigers Eastern Regional Head Mr.Sriram, Principal Mr.S. Thayaparan, and LTTE activist Mr. Siva also participated in the event, sources said.