(SLB/Jaffna, Sri Lanka – 1 November 2025)
Thirty-five years after the forced expulsion of Northern Muslims from their homes in the Jaffna peninsula, Tamil civil society groups have issued a public apology, calling it a “historic obligation” and a vital step towards reconciliation.
The North-East Coordinating Committee (NECC), along with human rights defenders, social organisations and intellectuals, acknowledged the 1990 eviction as a “gross human rights violation” under international norms. The expulsion, ordered by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), forced thousands of Muslim families to leave their traditional lands within hours, carrying only what they could fit into a shopping bag. Their homes and properties were looted, and many have remained displaced for decades.
“Even though a generation has passed, we, the second generation, consider it our duty to apologise to the affected Muslim people,” the NECC said in its statement. The group stressed that apology is fundamental for rebuilding trust and ensuring peaceful coexistence between Tamils and Muslims in Sri Lanka’s North and East.
Historically, Tamils and Muslims shared cultural and linguistic ties in the region, both communities speaking Tamil as their mother tongue. While Muslims initially supported the Tamil liberation struggle, relations deteriorated during the conflict, particularly in the East, where violence against Muslims escalated. In the North, however, relations remained largely peaceful until the 1990 expulsion.
The NECC urged Tamil politicians, officials, intellectuals and media to join efforts for meaningful resettlement, reparations, economic development and memorialisation for Northern Muslims. “Political apology is a hallmark of a civilised society,” the statement noted, citing examples from countries such as Canada, Australia and Japan, where state leaders have apologised for historic injustices.
The committee emphasised that apology must be accompanied by guarantees of non-recurrence and respect for the rights of affected communities. “This is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a commitment to ensure that Northern Muslims can live without fear and enjoy freedom in their lives,” the NECC declared.
The event which was held at the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Hall in Jaffna District was organized by the North–East Coordinating Committee and commenced at 10:30 a.m. It brought together over 200 participants representing the eight districts of the Northern and Eastern provinces.