[size=5]The Heroes Day observed by Eezham Tamils on 27 November to remember their fallen fighters, falls on a full moon day this year, coinciding with the Kaarthikai festival of lights observed by Tamils since ancient times. Sri Lanka that has made a practice of banning even routine religious observations in the temples of the occupied country of Eezham Tamils on the Heroes Day, dares this year to forbid the Kaarthikai festival observations too. Occupying Sri Lanka’s practice of banning temple rituals, including toll of bells on the Heroes Day, started first in Nov 2009, while New Delhi’s Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna was visiting Jaffna. New Zealand Tamils appeal to the UN on the continued cultural genocide of their kith and kin in the island.[/size]

[size=5]he Kaarthikai flame, called Chokkap-panai in Eezham Tamil, lighted in front of the Nalloor temple in 2011. It is called Chokkap-panai because of the use of dried palmyra palm leaves in making the flame.[/size]

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[size=5]Hero Stones inscribed in early Tamil writing testify hero worship as a part of ancient Tamil culture.[/size]

[size=5]Appealing to the UNSG Mr. Ban-ki-Moon, with a copy to UNHCHR Ms. Navaneetham Pillay, Mr. A. Theva Rajan, Co-ordinator of the Tamil Action Front, New Zealand (TAFNZ), argues with evidence on Sri Lanka’s cultural genocide of Tamils being extended to new fronts in the post-war times.[/size]

http://www.eelamview.com/2012/11/28/genocidal-sri-lanka-forbids-kaarthikai-festival-as-it-falls-on-heroes-day/

[size=5]Full text of the appeal by Mr. A. Theva Rajan to the UN:[/size]

[size=5]23 November2012[/size]

[size=5]His Excellency Ban-Ki-Moon,[/size]

[size=5]Secretary-General,[/size]

[size=5]UN Headquarters[/size]

[size=5]New York.[/size]

[size=5]Your Excellency,[/size]

[size=6]Subject: Continuing Cultural Genocide in Sri Lanka[/size]

[size=5]We would like to bring to Your Excellency’s notice the continuing cultural genocide being extended to two new fronts in post war Sri Lanka. Both are inter-related.[/size]

[size=5]The Kooddaththaar Temple of I’lavaalai in Jaffna, found destroyed in the ‘High Security Zone’ occupied by the Sinhala Army in the last two decades. Kooddaththaar is a Tamil term for the guild of professional soldiers of the medieval times. The temple proves the existence of hero worship in the culture and religious traditions of Eezham Tamils. [/size]

[size=5]Honoring the martyrs is ingrained in the culture and history of the Tamils. It is recorded in the ancient 2000 years old Sangam literature of the Tamils and the ancient artefacts and epigraphs of the Tamils recorded in the 2000 year old Thamili script and Tamil language.[/size]

[size=5]This tradition has been observed during the period when Tamils were under the kingdom of Jaffna (Eelam)[/size]

[size=5]The martyrs in the war were honoured with tombs which were bulldozed by the army in post war times – a very insulting barbaric act on the part of the Government of Sri Lanka.[/size]

[size=5]November 27 as the date on which the first fighter died is observed as martyrs day. This almost coincides with the Karthikai Thirunal, a festival of lights observed again by the Tamils from very ancient times. The ancient Sangam classics of the Tamils refer to this festival of lights as being celebrated in every home with pomp and glory – the houses and entrances being illuminated with oil lamps mounted on banana tree trunks. According to the Sangam works it also was the day when husband s who went abroad for trade and wealth returned to join their families, a great day for family reunion.[/size]

[size=5]It is a great function in Hindu temples and is a special day for worshippers of Lord Muruga or Karthigeya. It is called Karthiga Mangalaya among the Sinhalese and they too celebrate it with great enthusiasm. The Dalada Maligawa Temple authorities distribute oil and other necessities to smaller temples in the Kandyan region. It is a great festival in the Kandyan kingdom of yesteryears. Even the King went in the great night pageant and procession with decorated elephants. There is a solemn festival at the famous Muruga/Kartigeya temple of Kataragama/Kathirgamam.[/size]

[size=5]Mr. A. ThevarajanYours Sincerely,[/size]

[size=5]Copy to: Her Excellency Ms. Navaneetham Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.[/size]

Edited November 29, 201213 yr by akootha