Thileepan memorial day observed in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 26 September 2004, 10:06 GMT]
The final day of the seventeenth death anniversary of a senior leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Lt. Colonel Thileepan was observed Sunday throughout Jaffna district. The main event was held Sunday morning at Nallur Kandasamy Temple premises where Lt Colonel Thileepan passed away after two weeks fasting unto death putting forward five demands to the Indian Government.

"The life of Lt.Colonel Thileepan proves that we are not war-mongers. Even now we are firmly committed to a negotiated peaceful resolution based on the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA). ISGA proposals gives the Sri Lanka government yet another chance to move towards a solution. Tamil community would be forced to take a decision to assert its right of self-determination thus ensuring self-rule in our traditional homeland if the GOSL failed to commence talks based on the ISGA," said Mr.Ilampairithi, Jaffna district LTTE political head in address at the public meeting held at Nallur Kandasamy Temple premises, Jaffna sources said.

Mr. Ilamparithi said "the political scenario of the country would have been different now if the five demands put forward by Lt.Colonel Thileepan had been accepted seventeen years ago by the Government of Sri Lanka. Currently two strong militaries exist and the international community has accepted this reality. We are continuing to build our military strength, enhance our political infrastructure and improve our peoples economic welfare."

"In 1987, Minister of Internal Security Mr. Lalith Athulathmudali said a ceasefire could be signed only between two countries and asked that LTTE does not represent a country. After seventeen years the current situation in Sri Lanka answers this question because of our military and political strength," Mr.Ilamparithi added.

The ceasefire agreement is still in force because the Sri Lankan government and international community recognize our military strength, said Mr.Ilampairithi.








The dream of Lt.Colonel Thileepan would become a reality if the GOSL failed to understand our demand for the establishment of the ISGA, Mr. Ilamparithi stressed.

Ms Vethanayagi Shanmugalingam, mother of LTTE martyr Major Kannan lit the flame of sacrifice at the Thileepan memorial in Nallur and inaugurated the final day event. Mr.S.Selvakumaran, President of Jaffna University Students Federation and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr.M.K.Eelaventhan garlanded the memorial. Thereafter the photograph of Lt.Colonel Thileepan was taken in a procession from the memorial site to the place in Kandasamy temple where Lt. Col. Thileepan spent his last days.

Mr.R. Paheerathan, President of the International Tamil Students' Federation presided the public meeting.

Ms Poomagal, Nallur LTTE women political wing head hoisted the Thamileelam national flag. Nallur LTTE political head lit the common flame of sacrifice. The Mr.C.Ilamparithi, Jaffna district LTTE political head, unveiled the memorial plaque.

Nallai Somasunthara Paramachcharya Swamigal Guru Maha Sannithanam, Reverend Fr.Jeyasekaram, and Moulavi Karba blessed the event. Later TNA parliamentarians Ms Pathmini Sithamparanathan and Mr.M.K.Eelaventhan spoke.