Thileepan death anniversary observance begins in NE

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 September 2004, 10:34 GMT]
The Tamil people in the North-East Wednesday began observing the seventeenth death anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan, a senior leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam who died after twelve days' fasting unto death due to the failure of the Indian government in fulfilling five demands put forward by him to meet the aspirations of the Tamil people soon after the signing of the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement.




From Point Pedro to Pottuvil in the northeast province special pandals were constructed and special events are being organized to observe the Thileepan death anniversary, according to local reports. Posters with photograph of Lt.Colonel Thileepan are seen in public places in the LTTE controlled areas and Sri Lanka Army controlled areas appealing to people to observe and participate in the anniversary celebrations, reports said.

In Jaffna town, large number of people Wednesday paid homage to dead LTTE senior leader Lt.Colonel Thileepan at the Thileepan memorial located in Nallur behind historic Kandasamy Temple.

Jaffna district political head of Sea Tigers Mr.Arunan hoisted Thamileelam national flag and Mr.Sathasivam, father of Lt.Colonel Archchuna lit the common flame of sacrifice. Ms Kalaivili, Jaffna district women political head, lit the flame of sacrifice. Thereafter LTTE cadres, activists and members of public paid homage to the Thileepan memorial by offering flowers.

Jaffna district political head Mr.C.Ilamparithi and several others spoke during the conclusion of the event.

Lt. Col. Thileepan began his fasting seventeen years ago on 15 September 1987 seated on a stage specially constructed in front of the Nallur Kandasamy temple and he passed away on September 26, 1987. The five demands Lt.Colonel Thileepan put forward were:

1. The Tamil youths detained in prisons or in detention centres under the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be released forthwith.
2. All Sinhala colonization schemes taking place in Tamil homeland under the guise of rehabilitation should be stopped forthwith.
3. Until an interim administrative council is established all rehabilitation works in the northeast should be stopped.
4. Police stations should not be opened in northeast province.
5. Arms and ammunition supplied to home guards under the supervision of the Indian Peace Keeping Force should be withdrawn immediately and army camps and police stations established in Tamil villages and schools should be closed down.