38th Remembrance Day of Thileepan Observed in Jaffna

16-Sep-2025

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The 38th anniversary of “Thiyaga Theepam” Thileepan, who fasted unto death without food or water, presenting five demands, was commemorated on September 15 in Jaffna.

At Thileepan’s memorial in Nallur, where he began his fast, tribute events commenced at 9.45 a.m., the exact time he started his hunger strike.

The remembrance began with the lighting of the common flame, followed by the garlanding and floral tributes at Thileepan’s portrait.

Thileepan’s five demands were:

The halting of new state-sponsored settlement schemes in the Northern and Eastern provinces under the guise of resettlement.

The release of all Tamil political prisoners detained in prisons and military/police camps.

The complete repeal of the Emergency Regulations.

The withdrawal of all arms issued to Home Guards.

The immediate stoppage of opening new police stations in Tamil areas.

Thileepan fasted without water for 12 days and sacrificed his life for these demands.