Thousands mark Heroes day in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Maveerar Day (Heroes Day) was celebrated on a grand scale in three places in the areas controlled by The Liberation Tigers (LTTE), in Batticaloa district. Several thousand people took part in these celebrations yesterday, says the TamilNet correspondent in Batticaloa.

The largest function took place at Tharavai, 45 kms north of Batticaloa town. About 4000 people, including parents of LTTE war dead attended the function.

The leader of the LTTE's political wing for Batticaloa - Amparai district, Keethan and many other senior LTTE leaders took part in the function.

Another function was held at Karadiyanaru. The head of the TEEDOR, Visu took part in this function and distributed Maveerar Day gifts to the mothers of LTTE fighters killed in action.

Following this, a ceremonial lamp was lit and cultural events took place through out the night.

The Maveerar Day speech by the LTTE leader Mr. V. Pirabakaran was also broadcast.

At the same time, in Thandiyadi, further 20 kms south of Karadiyanaru, Maveerar Day function was marked in a big way.

The LTTE have one of their war dead memorials (Thuyilum Illam) at Thandiyadi.

One of the LTTE's senior members and former military leader for the Batticaloa - Amparai district, Nissam and other senior leaders took part in this function.

About 3000 people, including parents of LTTE fighters who had died in combat took part in the function.

At Kokkaddicholai, a cultural function was held and a large crowd attended.

A drama called 'Tholvi Nichchayam' (defeat assured) - an obvious reference to SLA's Operation 'Jayasikurui', which means victory assured, was staged during this function.

The function went on until early hours of the morning today.

A large number of parents of LTTE war dead had come from various parts of the district, despite the ban by Sri Lankan troops who control Batticaloa town.

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