Mullivaikkal Kanji was served across Batticaloa today in remembrance of the Tamils that were massacred by the Sri Lankan government and its armed forces 17 years ago.
Kanji - a porridge of rice and water - was the only food available to Tamils trapped in the Sri Lankan government declared 'No Fire Zones'.
Mullivaikkal Kanji is served by Tamils in the North-East and the diaspora as a reminder of the hardship Tamil people faced in the final months of the armed conflict.
The Association of Relatives of the Enforced Disappeared prepared and distributed kanji to the public at Gandhi Park, Batticaloa, today.
Tamil political representatives, civil society activists, and members of the public attended the event in large numbers. Among those present were Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi parliamentarians Srinesan and Sirinath, former parliamentarian P Ariyanethiran, Batticaloa Municipal Council Mayor Sivam Pakkiyanathan, Deputy Mayor Dinesh, municipal councillors, and representatives of several civil organisations.
The Homeland Task Force also prepared and served Mullivaikkal kanji by the Saththurukondan massacre memorial monument in Batticaloa.
Participants lit memorial lamps and paid tribute to those killed during the final phase of the war as well as victims of earlier massacres, including the Saththurukondan massacre.
Mullivaikkal kanji was prepared and distributed to attendees during the event in an act of collective remembrance and solidarity.
Among those who attended were parliamentarians from ITAK, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Batticaloa Municipal Council, municipal councillors, and members of the Homeland Task Force.
Organisers stated that remembrance events and kanji distributions will continue throughout the week at several locations across Batticaloa district and the North-East.