A memorial event was held at the headquarters of the Valikamam East Pradeshiya Sabha in Jaffna to commemorate the victims of Black July and the 53 Tamil political prisoners killed during the Welikada Prison massacre in 1983.
The ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. with the lighting of the main commemorative flame, led by Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Thiyagarajah Nirosh.
Deputy Chairman Dharmalingam Janarthanan, together with council members, then lit 53 memorial lamps in honour of the political prisoners who were killed during the prison massacre, including Kuttimani (Selvarajah Yogachandran), Thangathurai (Nadarajah Thangavelu), and Jegan (Jeganathan). The lamp-lighting was followed by a floral tribute to those who lost their lives.
A commemorative address was delivered by council member and former public servant Selvadisayanayagam Thavanayagam, who presented a speech titled “Black July: An Indelible Scar in Tamil History.” His remarks reflected on the historical significance of the 1983 anti-Tamil violence and its lasting impact on the Tamil community.
The event also featured a photo exhibition within the council premises, displaying images documenting the events of Black July, which organisers said was intended to honour the victims and educate visitors about one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka’s modern history.
Black July refers to the genocide against Tamils that erupted across Sri Lanka in July 1983, during which hundreds of Tamils were killed and thousands were displaced. The Welikada Prison massacre, which occurred during the same period, saw 53 Tamil political prisoners killed by fellow inmates in two separate attacks, becoming one of the most infamous incidents of the conflict.
