Thousands attend Kilinochchi, Jaffna Thileepan commemoration

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 September 2005, 11:47 GMT]
Thousands congregated at Murugan temple, Kilinochchi, Monday morning for the commemoration rally in memory of Lt.Col.Thileepan who died after a 12 day old hunger-strike protesting against the Indian IPKF and the Sri Lankan armed forces occupying the North-East.

The march in Kilinochchi commenced at 9.00 a.m. and reached the Regional Administrative office where the Government Agent, Rasanayagam, received the people participating in the day's token hunger-strike.

Pon Thiyagam of the Tamil Heroes Secretariat and S.Sivapalan of the National Resurgence participated in the official function honouring Thileepan.

Meanwhile, the final day events of Thileepan's commemoration in Jaffna started at 9.00 am today at the site of Thileepan's monument in the compound of Nallur Kandaswamy Temple. The secretary of the National Resurgence Council Valikamam Division presided the event. Mr.S.Elagunathan Chairman-Fedaration of Uduvil Public organizations and TNA Parliameatarian Mrs Pathmini Sithamaparanathan garlanded the monument.

Hindu priest N.Thanesvarakkurukkal lit traditional oil lamp. The memorial lamp was lit by Mr.Ratnasingham the father of Sea Tiger Martyr Capt Roshan. He also garlanded Thileepan's portrait.

Later the second stage of the ceremony was presided over by Mr.S.Selvakumar the former President of the federation of University students. Rev.Father Dr.Jeyesingam, TNA Parliamantarian Mavai Senathirajah, P.Kanagasabapathi the President of Jaffna Co-operatives federation and Mr.Pathmanathan jointly lit the traditional lamp. The Tamil National flag was unfurled by Yogeswarwkkurukkal the father of Martyr Lt.Keerthigan. Rev.R.Rajakumar of the South Indian church lit the memmorial lamp and garlanded Thileepan's portrait.

The days fast in homage to Thileepan's memory then followed led by Mrs Pathmini Sithamparanathan.

Public laid floral tributes at the feet of Thileepan's monument and his portrait

In another commemoration event held at Central Political Secretariat of the LTTE, Lt.Col.Thileepan and Col.Shankar were remembered.

Maniyannar, S.Thangan, Geetha, S.Paappaa and Arasannar, among others, participated in the event held Monday morning at Kilinochi.