Eelam Flag flown despite protest by Trinco Police

[TamilNet, Sunday, 10 October 2004, 18:13 GMT]
The Thamileelam national flag hoisted at the event held in Trincomalee to mark the Thamileelam Women Resurgence Day was brought down only after the conclusion of the celebration Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m. Trincomalee Police protested during the event that hoisting was in violation of the ceasefire agreement, sources said.

SLMM monitor speaking to Tamil Women Society President Ms Ratnavadivel

Thamileelam Women Resurgence Day marking the seventeenth death anniversary of first woman martyr Second Lieutenant Malathi was observed in Trincomalee town Sunday under the auspices of the Trincomalee district women political wing of the LTTE.

Earlier a procession by hundreds of women commenced from Trincomalee Paththirakalai Amman Temple premises reached Trincomalee Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College ground with Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College band in attendance. Thereafter Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE hoisted the Thamileelam national flag and Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham, Trincomalee district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian lit the common flame of sacrifice. Thereafter the mother of a LTTE martyr lit the flame of sacrifice in front of the 2nd Lt.Malathi photograph and garlanded by College Principal Ms Chandra Balasubramaniam.

SLMM monitor is seen leaving the site with his aide

When proceedings began in the college hall with Ms Kanmani Ratnavadivel, President of the Trincomalee Women Associations Consortium in the chair, a police team led by Headquarters Inspector of Trincomalee Police Mr.E.Gunaratna arrived at the scene and requested the organizers of the event to bring down the Thamileelam national flag as hoisting such flag was a violation of the ceasefire agreement. Organizers said that they would not bring down the flag until the completion of the event.

Police officials at the site said that they had already brought the matter to the notice of the monitors of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) located in Trincomalee.

One of the SLMM monitors arrived at the site later informed organizers of the event the protest by the Police. Organizers said hoisting of Thamileelam national flag was not a violation of the CFA. SLMM monitor thereafter left the site and the flag was brought down ceremoniously at the conclusion of the event by the organizers, sources said.



Parliamentarian Mr.Thurairetnasingham talks to Police officials at the scene (MP is with white shirt and Tamil national dress)