National Day of Mourning observed in NorthEast

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 January 2005, 12:54 GMT]
Amid cries among those attending the various ceremonies, a highly emotional day of mourning was observed throughout the Northeast Wednesday on the 31st annivesary day of the Tsunami that devastated the Northeast on 26th of December. A wall-clock, which stopped at 8.50 a.m. on December 26 at Mullaitivu Kallapaddu Maha Vidiyalayam following Tsunami disaster was again made to tick into operation on Wednesday at 8.50 a.m. symbolizing the return of life. Tamils observe 31st day of death with special ceremonies.



Special ceremonial gatherings, meetings and events were held at several locations in the Northeast.

Shops were closed and black flags were seen in houses and buildings throughout NorthEast.

Dignitaries of all faiths participated in joint religious observance together at a rememberance event that was held in Killinochchi cultural hall with Mr.T.Rasanayagam, Government Agent in the chair. Mr. Pon Thiayagam, Head of the Thamileelam Martyrs Secretariat lit the flame of sacrifice and garlanded the photograph marking the National Mourning Day. A religious procession mourning the Tsunami deaths precedent the event at the cultural hall, sources said.

Amid somber atmosphere prevailing among the relatives and friends of those killed , the students of Mullaitivu Maha Vidiyalayam lit the flame of sacrifice in memory of their 256 fellow students who died in Tsunami disaster. Also Senthalir children home that suffered heavy loss of children observed a very emotional mourning.

Tsunami victims now sheltered in welfare centres observed the day with religious observances.

Colonel Soosai, Special Commander of the Sea Tigers hoisted the Thamileelam National Flag at 8.50 AM in Mullaitivu town.






Commander Mangalesh of the Sea Tigers lit the flame of sacrifice to those died in the Tsunami deadly waves in an event observed at Uduthurai graveyard located near the Uduthurai Maha Vidiyalayam in the LTTE controlled Vadamaradchchi east division.



Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, Political Head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Mr.K.P.Reggie, Executive Director of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) and Mr.K. V.Balakumaran, a senior leader of the LTTE garlanded the ''National Mourning Day'' photograph kept to mark the one-month death remembrance of Tsunami victims, sources said.

Relatives of the dead thereafter paid their homage to their loved ones at the sea beach site where they were buried. Mr.Balakumar spoke at the event.