JAFFNA, Sri Lanka — The University of Jaffna has commemorated the 25th anniversary of the historic Pongu Tamil Declaration, a pivotal moment in the Tamil political movement.

The event was held on campus, where students and members of the Tamil community gathered to pay tribute to the declaration and its enduring significance.

Participants lit lamps and laid floral tributes at the Pongu Tamil memorial pillar, a symbol of the struggle for Tamil political rights and self-determination.

The original declaration, issued in 2001, took place under heavy security restrictions, yet thousands of students and residents gathered to demand negotiations and a peaceful resolution to the ethnic conflict.

The anniversary event also served as a reminder of the continuing aspirations for Tamil rights and the importance of dialogue in resolving long-standing grievances.