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Thileepan, an epitome of sacrifice and symbolism of determination

1987 September 17th

Thileepan's heart beat and the blood circulation began to weaken. This was the third day Thileepan was sitting there, often worshiping his people sitting around him in thousands. In a low but determined tone pregnant with commitment, Thileepan said that he likes to speak to his people for a couple of minutes.

"I find it difficult to stand up and address you but I need to talk to you. I don't know whether I will be able to speak to you tomorrow. Up until this moment 650 of my comrades have attained martyrdom, sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the Tamil nation. I remember vividly the last words of Miller said to me immediately before setting out on his final mission 'I am dedicating my life for the cause that is precious to the Tamil people. It gives me great satisfaction. I have only one thing to worry about: that I will not be alive to see my people enjoying real freedom. I wish to echo the same sentiment of my comrade Milllr. All those 650 martyrs are well known to me and in fact most of them are my good friends. I am confident that our people will, one day, achieve their freedom. It gives me great satisfaction and contentment that I am fulfilling a national responsibility to the nation".

That night Thileepan had difficulty in passing urine. People insisted that he take some water. 'I decided not a drop of water is taken during my fast; that decision can not be changed', said Thileepan.

"The flame in a lamp shines brighter before dying off; it's me now. I am extremely happy. I can still speak I need your blessings before my demise. I will be the 651st martyr following the path of those 650 before me. You must carry forward our freedom struggle" Thileepan requested of his people. The crowd that was assembled in the holy precincts of the Nallur Temple had their eyes filled with tears, watching silently.

1987 September 20th

Heart beat 85- 60/ pulse 120, breathing 22

The news of arrival of the Deputy Indian High Commissioner in Jaffna reached the Nallur Temple grounds. It was noon. There was a sigh of relief in the midst of the people. Every one was in anticipation of good news. That evening, left leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara from the south and several comrades visited the fasting grounds and expressed solidarity. Thileepan's physical condition began worsening.

1987 September 21st

The news of the Deputy High Commissioners arrival in Jaffna was found to be incorrect. He wasn't there in the team that arrived. Those arrived actually included Brigadier Ragavan from the Indian army Jeyakumar of the Indian Air Force and Abhayasundar from the Indian Navy. These were the people who had discussions. It was found that the discussions did not bring out any tangible decisions. When this was conveyed to Thileepan, he said, "Our demands are very clear. I will not give up my fast till we get a satisfactory written response to our demands".

1987 September 22nd

Heart: 90-50/ pulse: 140/ breathing: 24

Thileepan's condition was worsening. He was not conscious and therefore did not know that medical examination was done on him. Lips were moving but did not bring out his voice.

By noon, Indian military commander Lt. Gen. Dibendar Singh had arrived in Jaffna. There was a special discussion with Leader Mr. V. Prabaharan for about an hour but the Indian side failed to arrive at a decision.

The next event to happen was the arrival of Indian High Commissioner J.N. Dixit who, along with Lt. Gen. Dibendar Singh and Indian Military Commander in Sri Lanka Harkit Singh, had discussions with Mr. Prabaharan from 1.30 pm - 6.00 pm. Again no decision was arrived at.

1987 September 24th

Heart: 80-50/pulse: 52

Discussions started again. On the Indian side Brigadier Fernandes, Indian High Commission's Chief Security Officer Capt. Gupta and on the LTTE side Leader Prabaharan Dr. Balasingham Barrister S. Kodeswaran and President Point Pedro Citizen's Committee Sivananthasundram participated in the discussions. (Incidentally Mr. Sivananthasundram was subsequently shot dead by the Indian Military at Vallai, a lagoon expanse between Jaffna and Point Pedro)

People were all in anticipation of a favorable decision at any time. Surprisingly, movements were observed in Thileepan's body. Internal breathing though observed was visible from outside. Both eyes were almost permanently fixed above. Thileepan's lovers, the people, were mostly noticed weeping with uncontrollable sobs. The soul of an extra-ordinary youth, an unparalleled hero was gradually ebbing away.

By nightfall the news of Indian side not acceding to any request started floating around Nallur precincts.

1987 September 25th

The environment was tension packed and emotion with anger was prevalent. The wider opened eyes of the several thousands thronged there were exuding great pain. Thileepan's eyes did not see this tragic environment. A state of semi-coma was taking over Thileepan. His colleagues were trying to change Thileepan's clothes and Thileepan was protesting with weak gestures. "I'm dying" were the last words that Thileepan said, implying may be, "why take the trouble to change clothes for a person who is dying".

1987 September 26th

Electricity supply was interrupted at 5.00 in the dawn. Candles were lit. A cold wind swept across the Nallur grounds and extinguished the candle light. Ironically, Thileepan's life too was extinguishing.

It was 10.48 am. The revolutionary September cyclone that was circling the Tamil homeland came to an end. Breathing stopped. The collective thinking of the Tamil homeland too stopped for a moment.

Thileepan is no more. Those tender feet that were playing around the class rooms in the Urumpirai Tamil School, those tender feet that touched with affection the length and breadth of the Tamil homeland came to a standstill. That charming smile which had the magic power of consoling the wounded hearts of the oppressed Tamil people wasn't there; it won't be there anymore.

Thileepan, demonstrating a new face in non-violent struggle to the India a nation that identified non-violence to the British imperialists, lay there silently proclaiming to the world his determination, commitment to the freedom of his nation and his victorious death. Thileepan the person was silent but Thileepan the force was heard roaring loud in the midst of that silence.

Seventeen long years have rolled away. But this heart-rending departure of Thileepan is etched indelibly in the collective Tamil memory as if it happened yesterday. The Political Central Bureau of the LTTE and the Mobile Medical Team that serves the poor peasantry in the Tamil homeland are named after Thileepan. Tamil people observe symbolic fast on the 26th of September every year.

True, 17 years have passed; but Thileepan's commitment and sacrifice will be fluttering in the Tamil homeland as a flag symbolizing Tamil determination.

26 September 2004

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