Video Claiming To Show LTTE Rally Held Recently Is From Geneva, Not Sri Lanka

A video is being widely shared on TikTok, showing a massive pro-LTTE rally, where people can be seen holding flags of the banned outfit and a cardboard cut-out of Velupillai Prabhakaran. 

A Sinhala caption accompanying the video reads, “It’s been a year since Anura’s government was formed. Are those who voted for him happy now,” insinuating that the incident took place in Sri Lanka.

The same video was also shared on YouTube and Facebook with similar captions, expressing concerns at the alleged rise of LTTE in Sri Lanka once again.

Evidence

• The original video was first posted on TikTok by the account @r.sswiss on 15 September 2025 without any captions.

• A reverse image search of key frames led to a news report published by the Tamil Guardian on 15 September 2025, which reported that the rally occurred in Geneva, Switzerland, not Sri Lanka. The protest rally was organized to renew demands for justice and international accountability for the alleged Tamil genocide as Sri Lanka was discussed at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Protesters also paid tribute to Lt. Col. Thileepan, marking 38 years since he began his fast unto death.

• The Island news website also published a report on 17 September 2025, titled “Switzerland allows display of LTTE flags in Geneva,” along with photos from the same event.

• In Sri Lanka, commemorations of Lt. Col. Thileepan did take place in the North and East during the same week. However, mainstream media coverage shows only Thileepan’s photograph being displayed with garlands and floral tributes. No LTTE flags or Prabhakaran cut-outs were present at these events.

• The LTTE remains a banned organization in Sri Lanka under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Public displays of LTTE symbols or imagery are illegal, and authorities take action against such violations. While commemorations for Thileepan are permitted, they are strictly limited to honoring him without LTTE symbols.

Context

The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) began on September 8, 2025, and will run until October 8, 2025 in Geneva. During the session, UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged Sri Lanka to take decisive action on accountability and reforms, though a draft resolution has endorsed a domestic judicial mechanism instead of international involvement.

Against this backdrop, Tamil diaspora groups held a mass rally in Geneva on September 15, 2025, renewing demands for international accountability and justice. The protest also marked the 38th anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan’s fast unto death, a key event remembered annually by Tamils worldwide.

Verdict

The claim that a rally featuring LTTE flags and a Prabhakaran cut-out took place under Anura’s government in Sri Lanka is misleading. The video is actually from a Tamil diaspora rally in Geneva, Switzerland, held during the UNHRC session. In Sri Lanka, commemorations were limited to displaying Thileepan’s photograph, not LTTE symbols.

FAQs

Q1. Did the rally with LTTE flags happen in Sri Lanka?
No. It happened in Geneva, Switzerland, on 15 September 2025, not in Sri Lanka.

Q2. Why were LTTE flags allowed in this rally?
Switzerland permits displays of LTTE flags at protests. However, in Sri Lanka such displays remain illegal under the PTA.

Q3. Were similar commemorations held in Sri Lanka?
Yes, but only with Thileepan’s photograph and floral tributes. No LTTE symbols or Prabhakaran cut-outs were displayed.

Q4. What was the purpose of the Geneva rally?
It was organized by Tamil diaspora groups to demand international accountability for alleged war crimes and to commemorate the 38th anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan’s hunger strike.

Our Sources
TikTok video posted by the account @r.sswiss on 15 September 2025.
News article published by Tamil Guardian on 15 September 2025.
News article published by The Island on 17 September 2025.
News article published on Virakesari on 15 September 2025.
YouTube video by Samugam channel on 15 September 2025.
Prime time news video uploaded on News First Tamil YouTube channel on 15 September 2025.
Government Gazette Notifications on Amendment to the list of designated persons, groups and entities released on 25 May 2024.
Prevention of Terrorism Act document by Parliament of Sri Lanka.
OHCHR.org website