An exhibition and mural painting by Tamil and Muslim women from the North and East was held in Jaffna on Friday (31), to mark 35 years since the forced expulsion of Muslims from the North by the LTTE.
The exhibition, organised by the Alliance for Minorities and the Chelvanayaham Memorial Trust, was also held in Mannar this week, while it will be held in Kilinochchi on Sunday (02 Nov).
The event was organized to commemorate the forced expulsion of the Muslim population from the Northern Province by the LTTE militant group in October 1990.
The expulsions occurred rapidly between October 15 and 30, 1990, and an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 Muslims were reportedly driven from their homes in the districts of Jaffna, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, and parts of Vavuniya.
The ousted Muslim population sought refuge primarily in the Puttalam district, as well as in other areas like Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo, while some remain displaced to date.
Meanwhile, the Forcibly Evicted Association-1990 organized a peaceful “Black October 2025” remembrance gathering in Puttalam on Friday (31), marking 35 years since the forced expulsion of Muslims from the Northern Province by the LTTE in October 1990.
According to a statement from the Association, the event brought together displaced families, community leaders, youth representatives, and social activists to remember the suffering endured by Northern Muslims and to reaffirm their continued demand for justice, resettlement, and restoration of land rights.
Participants held placards and banners calling attention to the ongoing plight of those who were expelled in 1990 and are still living in displacement. They urged the government to recognize their historical injustice and take meaningful steps to ensure permanent housing, land ownership, and livelihood opportunities for the affected families.
Speakers emphasized that while decades have passed, the struggle for equality and dignity continues. The gathering served as a reminder that reconciliation is incomplete without addressing the grievances of those who lost everything during the 1990 expulsion.
The Forcibly Evicted Association further reaffirmed its commitment to continue advocating for truth, justice, and restoration, ensuring that future generations will remember this dark chapter of history and work together for lasting peace and coexistence. (Newswire)
