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The Resting Heroes…

The Resting Heroes…

When I first visited Tamil Eelam, the movement took me to various places for observation. While visiting these places, I was traveling by vehicle from Kilinochchi to Puthukudiyiruppu. Accompanying me were a supervisor and two fighters. The vehicle sped along the road, and songs of the movement were playing in the background. The supervisor and the fighters shared with me various historical accounts about the locations we were passing, as well as past events of the war. I attentively listened to their stories while observing the places we passed.

Suddenly, the songs playing in the vehicle stopped. The fighters, who had been speaking animatedly with me, fell silent. The vehicle, which had been moving at a fast pace, slowed down significantly. A profound stillness enveloped us. I too became silent. It wasn’t just the vehicle that fell quiet; the surrounding area, filled with dense trees, was also incredibly serene.

To my left, I saw the Visuvamadu Maveerar Thuyilum Illam (Resting Place of the Heroes). Even the vehicles coming from the opposite direction were moving slowly and silently past this area. Once we had crossed the Maveerar Thuyilum Illam, our vehicle picked up speed again, the songs resumed, and the conversations continued.

I understood then: this was the respect paid to the heroes who rest there—a noble gesture to ensure that their peace is not disturbed in any way.

During my later travels to various parts of Tamil Eelam, I passed by many Maveerar Thuyilum Illams. Regardless of the type of vehicle—whether it was a movement’s vehicle, a private vehicle, a bus, or even a two-wheeler—it didn’t matter how fast they were traveling. Every vehicle would slow down to a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, turn off any playing songs, avoid conversation, and cross the area in complete silence.

The people accord such profound respect to these heroes. No police or fighters monitor this practice. Except for a signboard that reads, “Respected visitors, please tread gently here; these are the seeds of valor of our land“, there is no enforcement. This is a completely natural and deeply heartfelt practice.

I have traveled to many countries around the world, but I have never heard of or seen a practice like this anywhere else.

(Excerpt from my book, “Tamil Eelam: What I Saw and What I Experienced”

Translation by Hari

 

 

Martyrs office

 

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