Nikhil009 at 14:26, 21 February 2026

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{{Short description|Sri Lankan Tamil observance, 27 November}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Maaveerar Naal
| type = ethnic
| image = Gloriosa superba flower Toti 14 01 2011.JPG
| imagesize =
| caption = [[Gloriosa superba]] is the symbol of Maaveerar Naal
| official_name = மாவீரர் நாள்
| nickname =
| observedby = [[Sri Lankan Tamil people|Sri Lankan Tamils]], [[Tamils]]
| litcolor =
| longtype =
| significance =
| begins =
| ends =
| date = 27 November
| scheduling = same day each year
| duration = 1 day
| frequency = annual
| celebrations =
| observances =
| relatedto =
}}
'''Maaveerar Naal''' ('''Great Heroes' Day'''; {{langx|ta|மாவீரர் நாள்}} ''Māvīrar Nāḷ'') is a remembrance day observed by [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] to remember the deaths of [[Sri Lankan Tamil militant groups|militants]] who fought with the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) to achieve an independent Tamil homeland.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/tamil-torontonians-mark-remembrance-day-amidst-tensions-over-elected-ruler-sri-lanka-1.5372017 | title=As Toronto Tamils honour war dead, some fear Sri Lankan election could spark more violence | publisher=CBC | work=Kirthana Sasitharan | date=27 November 2019 | access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref> It is held each year on 27 November, the date on which the first LTTE cadre, Lt. Shankar (Sathiyanathan alias Suresh), died in combat in 1982.<ref name=McDowell>{{cite book|last1=McDowell|first1=Sara|last2=Braniff|first2=Máire|title=Commemoration as Conflict: Space, Memory and Identity in Peace Processes|date=2014|publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]]|isbn=978-0-230-27375-7|pages=87–88|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xx5vBAAAQBAJ}}</ref> Traditionally oil lamps are lit for the three days ending on 27 November and the [[Tamil Eelam]] [[Flag of Tamil Eelam|flag]] is raised at ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mylvaganam|first1=K.|title=Vanni Preparing for Heroes' Day|url=http://sangam.org/taraki/articles/2005/11-25_Vanni_Prepares_for_Heroes_Day.php?uid=1327|publisher=Illankai Tamil Sangam}}</ref> The symbol for Maaveerar Naal is the ''[[Gloriosa superba]]'' which blooms during November.<ref>{{cite news|title=Karthigaipoo declared as National flower of Eelam Tamils|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=11322|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=14 April 2004}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Amma-4--maveerarnaal-2002.jpg|thumb|left|A mother of a martyred LTTE cadre raises the Tamil Eelam flag on Maaveerar Naal 2002 in Germany]]
The first Maaveerar Naal was held on 27 November 1989.<ref name=TN251107>{{cite news|last1=Jeyaraj|first1=D. B. S.|title=What will the LTTE Leader say on Great Heroes' Day?|url=http://www.nation.lk/2007/11/25/newsfe7.htm|newspaper=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=25 November 2007|authorlink=}}</ref> The date was chosen as it was the anniversary of the first LTTE cadre to die in combat, Lt. Shankar (Sathiyanathan alias Suresh), who died on 27 November 1982.<ref>{{cite news|title=SL forces prepare for Heroes Week|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=317|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=19 November 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=De Mel|first1=Neloufer|title=Militarizing Sri Lanka: Popular Culture, Memory and Narrative in the Armed Conflict|date=2007|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=978-0-7619-3635-0|page=18|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mbOGAwAAQBAJ}}</ref> On 27 November 1989 around 600 LTTE cadres gathered secretly in the jungles near Nithikaikulam in [[Manal Aru]], [[Mullaitivu District]], to remember their fallen comrades who at that time numbered around 1,300.<ref name=TN251107/><ref>{{cite news|title=Heroes Day - 2010|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=99&artid=33106|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2010}}</ref> In his speech LTTE leader [[V. Prabhakaran]] told the gathering that if he ever betrayed Tamil Eelam they must kill him.<ref name=TN251107/>

Following the withdrawal of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] in 1990 the LTTE gained controlled of large areas of territory in the north and east of Sri Lanka.<ref name=TN251107/> The LTTE started developing ways to commemorate its dead heroes. They built thuyilum illam (resting place) for their ''maaveerar'' (great heroes) in territory they controlled.<ref>{{cite web|title=Introducing Tamil Tiger Burial Grounds|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/tamil-tiger-burial-grounds|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205084945/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka/tamil-tiger-burial-grounds|archive-date=2014-12-05}}</ref> In 1991 the week leading up to Maaveerar Naal was declared Great Heroes' Week.<ref name=TN251107/> This resulted in Prabhakaran's birthday, which falls on 26 November, being included in the commemorations.<ref name=TN251107/> The celebration of Prabhakaran's birthday began to overshadow the Maaveerar Naal commemorations to an extent that some even believed that Maaveerar Naal was a celebration of Prabhakaran's birthday.<ref name=TN251107/> This resulted in Prabhakaran banning any celebration of his birthday.<ref name=TN251107/> Commemorations eventually started amongst the growing [[Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora]].<ref name=TN251107/>

Over the years the commemorations became more elaborate, involving meetings, religious rituals, processions and exhibitions with cut-outs, posters and handbills of the dead cadres being distributed widely.<ref name=TN251107/> Every village and every school were expected commemorate their dead cadres.<ref name=TN251107/> Families of the dead cadres would gather at thuyilum illam to mourn their dead relatives.<ref name=TN251107/> The culmination of the commemorations was a great function at a special location at which the reclusive Prabhakaran gave a speech which started at 6.05pm, the precise time Lt. Shankar died.<ref name=TN251107/><ref>{{cite news|title=Tiger leader makes defiant speech|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7752587.stm|work=[[BBC News]]|date=27 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Foster|first1=Peter|title=Sri Lanka rebels say war is the only way|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/sri-lanka-rebels-say-war-is-the-only-way/2006/11/28/1164476204676.html|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=29 November 2006}}</ref> The highly anticipated speeches began to take on the form of an annual policy statement by the LTTE and were broadcast on LTTE affiliated radio and TV stations in LTTE controlled areas and abroad.<ref name=TN251107/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Reddy|first1=B. Muralidhar|title=Director Seeman arrested and deported from Canada|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/director-seeman-arrested-and-deported-from-canada/article55523.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=27 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramesh|first1=Randeep|title=Sri Lankan troops 'to capture' Tamil Tiger headquarters|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/26/srilanka|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=26 November 2008}}</ref><ref name=BBC271110>{{cite news|last1=Natarajan|first1=Swaminathan|title=Why Sri Lankan Tamils won't remember war dead this year|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11846369|work=[[BBC News]]|date=27 November 2010}}</ref>

After the [[Sri Lankan military]] recaptured the [[Jaffna Peninsula]] in 1995 they destroyed LTTE cemeteries, thuyilum illam, in the area including those at Chaadi, Ellangkulam, Kodikamam and [[Kopay Army Base|Kopay]].<ref name=McDowell/> Following the start of the Norwegian mediated peace process in 2002 the LTTE started rebuilding their war cemeteries.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramachandran|first1=Sudha|title=Colombo digs grave for Tamil harmony|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/MC26Df02.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527234025/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/MC26Df02.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=27 May 2011|work=[[Asia Times Online]]|date=26 March 2011}}</ref> Maaveerar Naal commemorations were allowed in government territory.<ref>{{cite news|title=North East celebrates Heroes Day|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=7901|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=North East celebrates Martyrs Day|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=13486|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Symbols of war commemorated|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20021201/issues.htm|work=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=1 December 2002}}</ref> In 2004 [[Tamil National Alliance]] (TNA) MPs were allowed to light oil lamps in front of the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]] to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.<ref>{{cite news|title=TNA MPs bring Heroes' Day event to Lanka's parliament|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=13492|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TNA lights up parliamentary complex|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/041128/news/2.html|work=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=28 November 2004}}</ref> However, after the peace process stalled the Sri Lankan military started imposing restrictions on ''Maaveerar Naal'' commemorations and destroying LTTE cemeteries.<ref>{{cite news|title=SLA sabotages Vavuniya Heroes Day celebrations|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=20424|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=28 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Army bulldozes Heroes' Cemetery in Trincomalee - Elilan|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?artid=20440&catid=13|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=29 November 2006}}</ref>

=== Restrictions of celebrations ===
Following the end of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|civil war]] in May 2009 the Sri Lankan government and its security forces have clamped down on any attempt at commemorating Maaveerar Naal and destroyed the remaining LTTE cemeteries.<ref name=BBC271110/><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2020 |title=இலங்கையில் மாவீரர் தினம்: தடையை மீறி கிளிநொச்சி, வவுனியாவில் அனுசரித்த தமிழர்கள் |url=https://www.bbc.com/tamil/sri-lanka-55105805 |access-date=20 September 2024 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=ta}}</ref> All Maaveerar Naal commemorations have been banned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Paying-tribute-to-Tamil-Tigers-banned-in-Sri-Lanka-29648.html|title=Paying tribute to Tamil Tigers banned in Sri Lanka|date=26 November 2013|work=[[AsiaNews]]|last1=Perera|first1=Melani Manel}}</ref> Critics of the ban argue that the Sri Lankan government is denying the Tamil people the basic human right to mourn their dead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/39878/political-hypocrisy-of-maaveerar-naal-mourning|title=Political hypocrisy of "maaveerar naal" mourning|date=7 December 2013|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|last1=Jeyaraj|first1=D. B. S.|authorlink=}}</ref> The ban on commemorations has been criticised by the TNA, the main political party representing Sri Lankan Tamils, who point out that the commemoration of the LTTE dead is banned but that of the [[Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna]] dead is allowed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/international/2013/November/international_November499.xml&section=international|title=Tamil party protests against ban on celebrating 'War Heroes' day|date=27 November 2013|work=[[Khaleej Times]]|last1=Irshad|first1=Qadijah}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/12/01/tna-to-protest-in-jaffna/|title=TNA To Protest In Jaffna|date=1 December 2012|work=[[The Sunday Leader]]|last1=Rutnam|first1=Easwaran}}</ref> The JVP waged two violent insurrections against the Sri Lankan government - in [[1971 Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Insurrection|1971]] and [[1987–89 JVP Insurrection|1987-89]] - which resulted in the death of up to 70,000 people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30017905|title=Rohana Wijeweera: The killing of Sri Lanka's Stalinist icon|date=13 November 2014|work=[[BBC News]]|last1=Haviland|first1=Charles}}</ref>

On 27 November 2012 an attempt by some [[University of Jaffna]] students to commemorate Maaveerar Naal by lighting oil lamps was broken by the Sri Lankan security forces who broke the lamps, threatened the students and pointing weapons at them.<ref name="AI111212">{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa37/015/2012/en/|title=ASA 37/015/2012 Sri Lanka: Further information: Crackdown on students spreads further|date=11 December 2012|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=35796|title=Ladies' hostel lights Common Flame, bells stun SL military in Jaffna on Heroes Day|date=28 November 2012|work=[[TamilNet]]}}</ref><ref name="BBC291112">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20537417|title=Jaffna University Tamil students boycott classes|date=29 November 2012|work=[[BBC News]]|last1=Haviland|first1=Charles}}</ref> The following day students staged a peaceful protest against the actions of the security forces but they were met by riot police who attacked and beat the protesters, resulting in at least 20 students being injured and four arrested.<ref name=AI111212/><ref name=BBC291112/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=35798|title=Peaceful student protest attacked by SL military in Jaffna|date=28 November 2012|work=[[TamilNet]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/23833-police-baton-charge-jaffna-students-.html|title=Police baton charge Jaffna students|date=28 November 2012|work=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]}}</ref>

In 2016 the Government Minister Mano Ganesan claimed that Maaveerar Naal can be celebrated as it is a human right for people to celebrate their late loved ones but it was wrong to do it with a political motive. He cited that the marxist [[Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna]] (JVP) also celebrate il Maha Viru Samaruwa in the South to commemorate their dead. However, due to the fact that the LTTE is still proscribed but JVP is no longer considered a terrorist organization the LTTE cannot be mentioned.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/People-in-North-can-celebrate-Maaveerar-Naal-without-mentioning-the-LTTE-119572.html|title=People in North can celebrate Maaveerar Naal without mentioning the LTTE|access-date=2016-11-23}}</ref>

In 2020 according to Defence Secretary and retired Major General [[Kamal Gunaratne]] celebration would be allowed as long as they do not disrupt peace and avoid statements that instigate hatred among communities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsradio.lk/local/mahaviru-remembrance-day-didnt-disrupt-peace/|title='Mahaviru Remembrance Day didn't disrupt peace'|last=Via-Theme|date=2019-11-30|website=Newsradio|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref>

==Remembrance day==
[[File:Maaveerarnaal2006-5.jpg|thumb|right|Maaveerar Naal 2006 in Germany]]
Despite the security restrictions Tamils in Sri Lanka hold small events to commemorate Maaveerar Naal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka bans remembrance of Tamil Tigers|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/11/sri-lanka-bans-remembrance-tamil-tigers-20131125123443185221.html|work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=25 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heroes Day observed in Tamil homeland under gagged conditions|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36851|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Heroes Day marked in occupied Tamil Eelam|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=37517|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2014}}</ref> Tamil politicians have started a tradition of planting trees on Maaveerar Naal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Allow people to give way to their emotions, Wigneswaran warns Colombo on Heroes Day|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36852|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Nathaniel|first1=Camelia|title=Events Held On LTTE 'Heroes Week'|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2014/11/30/events-held-on-ltte-heroes-week/|work=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=30 November 2014}}</ref>

In the [[India]]n state of [[Tamil Nadu]], a number of political parties, youth organisations, social movement groups etc. engage themselves in organising a number of events commemorating Maaveerar Naal across the state.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fuard|first1=Asif|title=Heroes' Day conundrum|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-18477-news-detail-heroes-day-conundrum.html|work=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=2 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205114525/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-18477-news-detail-heroes-day-conundrum.html|archive-date=5 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil Nadu marks Maaveerar Naal|url=http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=12993|work=[[Tamil Guardian]]|date=29 November 2014}}</ref>

Amongst the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora, where there are no restrictions on commemorating Maaveerar Naal, large public gatherings continue to be held.<ref>{{cite news|title=Thousands attend Heroes day remembrance at Excel Centre, London|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=30692|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=27 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Record turnout as Canada Heroes Day event asserts sovereignty|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=34657|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=29 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Thousands throng Sydney, London Heroes' Day events|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=35799|work=[[TamilNet]]|date=28 November 2012}}</ref> In cities such as [[Toronto]], [[London]], [[Paris]], [[Oslo]], [[New Jersey]], and [[Sydney]], thousands of supporters come to honour those who lost their lives fighting for [[Tamil Eelam]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bruland|first=Stine|title=Being There While Being Here|pages=93}}</ref> In November 2014 Canadian [[New Democratic Party]] MP [[Rathika Sitsabaiesan]] was criticised for comparing Maaveerar Naal with [[Remembrance Day]], a holiday which commemorates soldiers from [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth countries]] who died since the [[World War I|First World War]] during a speech in the [[House of Commons of Canada|House of Commons]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bell|first1=Stewart|title=NDP MP commemorates event honouring fallen Tamil Tigers, likens it to Remembrance Day in parliament|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/ndp-mp-commemorates-event-honouring-fallen-tamil-tigers-likens-it-to-remembrance-day-in-parliament|work=[[National Post]]|date=27 November 2014}}</ref> However, in 2021, [[Brampton]] mayor [[Patrick Brown (Canadian politician)|Patrick Brown]] commemorated Maaveerar Naal on behalf of the city.<ref name="'brampton">{{Cite tweet|author=Patrick Brown|author-link=Patrick Brown (Canadian politician)|user=patrickbrownont|number=1464582907696234496|title=#Brampton Remembers. #MaaveerarNaal2021 commemoration at @gsqbrampton}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{URL|maveerarnaal.com}}
* {{URL|http://www.tamilnation.co/tamileelam/maveerar/index.htm|Maaveerar - மாவீரர் - அணையாத தீபங்கள், Tamil Nation}}

{{Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam}}
{{Sri Lankan Civil War}}
{{Sri Lankan Tamil people}}

[[Category:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]
[[Category:November observances]]
[[Category:Remembrance days]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora]]
[[Category:Indian Peace Keeping Force]]
[[Category:Observances in India]]

Maaveerar Naal - Revision history

Nikhil009 at 14:26, 21 February 2026