39th death anniversary of Thileepan commemorated in North and East amid strong public participation
28-Sep-2026.
The final-day commemorative events marking the 39th death anniversary of Thileepan, whose birth name was Rasiah Parthipan, were held across the Northern and Eastern provinces on September 26, 2026, with strong public participation.
Thileepan had undertaken a hunger strike without food or water, making five demands in connection with the liberation of the Tamil nation and ultimately sacrificing his life.
Politicians, religious leaders, political and social activists, members of the public, young men and women, and students participated in the commemorative events.
Nallur
At the Thileepan memorial situated on the rear street of the Nallur Temple in Jaffna, tribute events commenced at around 10.48 a.m., the time at which Thileepan had died following his hunger strike.
The ceremonial lamp was lit by Arunachalam Vallipuram and Vallipuram Selvarani, the parents of fallen cadres.
A ceremonial lamp was also lit on Nallur Temple Road, where Thileepan had undertaken his hunger strike, by Subramaniam Malarvizhi, the sister of two fallen cadres.
Subsequently, veteran fighter Muthukumaran Manohar, the father of a fallen cadre, garlanded the statue of Thileepan at the memorial, following which floral tributes were paid. Meanwhile, a young man carrying a traditional thookku kavadi also arrived at the memorial and paid tribute.
Memorial processions
A memorial procession carrying Thileepan’s portrait left his home in Urrezhu, Jaffna, his native village, amid strong public participation and proceeded towards the Nallur memorial.
People gathered on both sides of the roads along the route, lighting lamps and offering flowers in remembrance.
Similarly, a vehicle carrying Thileepan’s portrait from Kilinochchi reached Nallur.
In addition, a memorial vehicle carrying Thileepan’s portrait from the Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam in Visvamadu and Theravil in Mullaitivu reached the premises of the Thileepan memorial in Nallur.
The memorial vehicle procession, which began from Pottuvil in Ampara District on September 16, travelled through various areas, including Batticaloa and Vavuniya, before reaching Nallur via the Vadamaradchi area of Jaffna.
Mullaitivu
Commemorative events were held with strong public participation at the public relations office of Vanni District MP Thurai Rajasingham Ravikaran in the Kallappadu area of Mullaitivu.
Following the observance of a moment of silence, a ceremonial lamp was lit before Thileepan’s portrait. Floral garlands were placed and flowers were offered as part of the tribute ceremony.
Vanni District MP Thurai Rajasingham Ravikaran, Karaithuraipattu Pradeshiya Sabha members Mahadeva Gunasingharasa and Thomaippillai Paulraj, social activist Manivannan Nirojan and members of the public participated in the commemorative event.
Vavuniya
A commemorative event for Thileepan was held at the Pongu Tamil Stupa premises near the entrance to the Vavuniya Municipal Council.
The event was jointly organised by the Fighters’ Welfare Association and the Tamil National Activists’ Collective.
A ceremonial lamp was lit, followed by floral tributes and a moment of silence in honour of Thileepan.
Trincomalee
Following a series of tribute events held continuously for 12 days under the leadership of the Trincomalee Commemoration Organising Committee in front of the Sivan Temple, the final commemorative event for Thileepan was held at the Municipal Council Hall.
After the main ceremonial lamp was lit, a garland was placed on Thileepan’s portrait, followed by the lighting of lamps and the offering of flowers.
Batticaloa
In Batticaloa, a commemorative event for Thileepan was organised by the Tamil National People’s Front at Gandhi Park. A garland was placed on his portrait, flowers were offered and a ceremonial lamp was lit as part of the tribute.
This was followed by a two-minute silence and floral tributes. Subsequently, Tamil National People’s Front National Organiser Dharmalingam Suresh delivered the commemorative address.
