[TamilNet] Genocidal Sri Lanka occupying the country of Eezham Tamils continued for the third year in militarily preventing people observing the Heroes Day week ending on Sunday. SL military’s paranoia or arrogance of oppression has gone to the extent of ordering temples not to toll bells or light lamps during the week. Military is also placed near some temples to watch for any breaches.
With the cemeteries of the heroes erased down, temples became the solace for parents and relatives paying annual homage to the fallen heroes. Sanctions on temples too started in 2009, coinciding with Indian foreign minister choosing the day to visit Jaffna. In a latest development on Friday, hundreds of SL police personnel have entered into the University of Jaffna to prevent any observation of the week by students. On Thursday some masked men entered the university and destroyed students union noticeboards.
Owners of public halls in Jaffna were intimidated at gunpoint by the occupying military not to rent out the halls for any gatherings during the week. In some instances, high-ranking military officials were also involved in the intimidation.
Even functions not associated with the Heroes Day were also stopped by the paranoid military.
A meeting organized by Tamil National Peoples Front (TNPF) in Jaffna on Thursday to arrange help to the families of war victims and journalists who were killed was cancelled due to military intimidation. The meeting was co-sponsored by two journalist associations, Nimalrajan Memorial Foundation and North Ilankai Journalists Association.
The oppression in Vanni was worse. Even the inaugural function of a Sai Baba centre’s building on Sai Baba’s birthday on 23 November was stopped by the SL military.
In Kanakaraayan-ku’lam, a school function was stopped and the students protested.
Occupying military in Vanni has strictly ordered that people should not be seen in groups. Former cadres of the LTTE have been ordered not to come out of their houses.
Meanwhile, commander of the occupying military in Jaffna, Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe has said that he had not made any orders against temple routines. However, there were specific instances such as in Kaarainakar, where the SL Army called temple priests and ordered them against tolling bells and lighting lamps.
Deception is the usual trick of ‘Asian Peace Laureate’ Hathurusinghe, is the observation of people in Jaffna.
However, all the oppression and tricks of the SL military could not prevent posters remembering the Eelam Heroes widely appearing in the walls of Jaffna
TN