Sri Lankan Tamil Rally in London: Protest in Commemoration

Tamil Guardian News Item, 18 May 2021

British Tamils rallied in London today to commemorate the tens of thousands of lives lost in Mullivaikkal in 2009. Protesters demonstrated at Parliament Square, demanding justice for the atrocities perpetrated by the Sri Lankan state in Mullivaikkal 12 years ago.

Protesters held placards that read “justice delayed is justice denied” and “Tamil genocide is a fact” as they chanted to “free Tamil Eelam.”

Speaking to Tamil Guardian, a British Tamil demonstrator said: “It has been 12 years since the Mullivaikkal genocide happened so we’re here to remember those who died in Mullivaikkal and those who gave their lives for us. We’re still trying to get the UK government to hold Sri Lanka accountable for their war crimes. We’ve been protesting this for years and we’re still here. We’re going to continue doing so.” 

Later in the day, hundreds of British Tamils gathered outside Downing Street where a group of Tamils were engaged in a hunger strike.

Candles were lit and flowers were laid in tribute to those who lost their lives at Mullivaikkal by Tamils present at the demonstration.

To conclude the event, kanji was served to honour the victims and survivors of Mullivaikkal. Kanji – a porridge of rice and water – was the only food available to the Tamils trapped in the conflict zone as Sri Lanka heavily restricted food and medicines into the Vanni.

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THUPPAHI introduces SOME PICTORIAL TALES from the period Jan-May 2009 …. clearly sketchy & partial, but addressing some of the claims above. Fuller details on some of these PIX can be found in Roberts: Tamil Person & State. Essays  …and Tamil Person & State: Pictorial (both Vijitha Yapa, Colombo, 2014)