Mother who protested 36 years for Palaly lands dies without returning home

An elderly mother who had campaigned for 36 years for the release of her army-held lands in Palaly, Jaffna, has died without her final wish being fulfilled.

Thambithurai Ilaiyakutti passed away on Friday (07.11.2026) due to old age, at the age of 83. Her last wish had been to breathe her last on her own land and in her own house, and for her funeral rites to be held there.

Palaly residents were evicted from their lands in June 1990 because of the war, and even many years after the war ended they have not regained their lands. They accuse the army of using their lands for agricultural activities and commercial establishments.

Her funeral rites were held on Saturday (08.11.2026) at the house where she had been living temporarily. As the body was taken to the Palaly Hindu cemetery for cremation, it was carried past the Palaly junction, where the land-release protest has been continuing for the 21st consecutive week.

Protesters meanwhile marked this Deepavali as a 'Black Deepavali', carrying placards. Only after being resettled in their own place can they celebrate the festival happily in their own homes, they said; a festival cannot be celebrated in joy while deprived of land and home.

Palaly residents, who have long lived without their lands and homes, are continuing their protest demanding the immediate release of their lands.