A week-long series of Mullivaikkal remembrance events commenced in Batticaloa on Tuesday, marking the seventeenth anniversary of the Mullivaikkal genocide.
The commemorative initiative, known as Mullivaikkal Kanji Week, is being observed across the Tamil homeland from May 12 to May 18, remembering the suffering endured by Tamil civilians during the final stages of the armed conflict in 2009.
The events also seek to preserve the memory of the gruel consumed by civilians trapped in Mullivaikkal as they struggled to survive amidst mass atrocities, starvation and relentless military bombardment.
Mullivaikkal kanji has become a powerful symbol of collective Tamil memory, representing both the desperate humanitarian conditions imposed on civilians and the resilience of those who survived the genocide.
The Batticaloa programme was inaugurated at the Saththurukondan massacre memorial, where remembrance activities were organised by the Homeland Task Force.
Participants lit memorial lamps and paid tribute to those killed during the final phase of the armed conflict, as well as victims of earlier massacres committed against Tamils, 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 present were parliamentarians from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (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 would continue throughout the week at multiple locations across Batticaloa district and the wider North-East.
According to the announced schedule, events in Batticaloa district are set to take place at the Saththurukondan massacre memorial on May 12, the Magizhadytheevu massacre memorial in Kokkaddichcholai on May 13, Vantharumoolai Uzhavar Junction on May 14, Kiran Junction on May 15, Pullumalai and Thaandiyadi in Vavunatheevu on May 16, the Puthukudiyiruppu massacre memorial on May 17 and Kudumbimalai on May 18.
Annual Mullivaikkal remembrance events continue to hold profound political and emotional significance for Eelam Tamils across the North-East and the diaspora, where they gather each May to honour those massacred during the final stages of the armed conflict and to reaffirm calls for justice and accountability.
In recent years, commemorations have continued despite surveillance, intimidation and restrictions imposed by the Sri Lankan state.