2nd Lead (Adds details)

Tamil diaspora celebrates Heroes' day

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 November 2003, 03:51 GMT]
Tamil expatriate community in countries of Europe and North America are celebrating heroes' day, with several prominent members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) addressing the Heroes' day events in these countries, a popular Tamil Television Newscast in London said Tuesday.

In Don Bosco auditorium in Catonia, Italy, Heroes' day was celebrated with customary hoisting of Tamileelam flag on Sunday evening. In several other districts in Italy, including Palarmo, Heores' day events are scheduled for 30 November and 6 December, according to Tamil sources in Italy.

On Saturday, 29 November, Heroes' day events are being organized in different parts of Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Germany by expatriate Tamils in respective countries. In France the events are to be held on 30 November. In Netherlands celebrations are scheduled for the 6 December in Maresca Hall, Ultrecht.

Anton Balasingham, LTTE's theoretician is expected to address the Heroes day celebrations in London on 6 December, at ExCel convention center, Royal Victoria Dock, sources in UK said.

Canadian Tamil students are organizing the Heroes day event in several Universities, sources from Canada said. In addition, public events are being organized in five centers in Toronto on November 27, at McNabb Community center in Ottawa, John Oliver School in British Columbia and at Mont Royal Secondary School in Montreal (November 29).

In Australia Heroes day events are scheduled to be held in Kingston Arts Center, Melbourne on November 30, and in Catherene McAuley Hall in Sydney on 29 November, according to Tamil sources in Australia.

Head of Lt.Col.Navam School in Visvamadu, Kalaikovan, is visiting Italy and Switzerland to speak at selected Heroes' day events. Jaffna district Head of LTTE Political Wing, Ilamparithi, is expected to address celebrations in Germany and Italy. Mannar Head of the LTTE Political Wing, Amitab, is scheduled to speak at events in Norway and France, according to sources.

Tamileelam Heroes' day celebrations were held in Chicago, USA, on 22 November, and events are scheduled to be held in several other states: New York (29 November), Florida/Seattle (6 December), Ohio (7 December), San Fransisco (13 December) and Los Angeles (14 December). The organizers said a large crowd is expected at the New Jersey celebrations on 6 December where several Tamil Canadian groups are staging dance and drama performances, according to sources.