Commemorations were held across Jaffna over the weekend to mark 43 years since the Black July pogrom, honouring the thousands of Tamils killed in the anti-Tamil violence of July 1983 and the Tamil political prisoners massacred while in state custody. At the Thanthai Selva Auditorium in Jaffna, a common flame of remembrance was lit on Saturday, 25 July, and candles were lit in memory of the Tamil prisoners killed in detention. The event was attended by members of parliament, representatives of political parties, social activists and members of the public. Fifty-three Tamil political prisoners were massacred inside Welikada Prison after Sinhala inmates gained access to their cells. Jaffna FortA further commemoration was held in front of the Muniyappar Temple near the Jaffna Fort, where a common flame was lit before others lit lamps and paid tribute to the victims.