Lest We Forget
Massacres of Tamils 1956 - 2001
This
Book is Dedicated to the
Thousands
of Tamils who lost their life at the hands of the
North East Secretariat on Human Rights
(NESOHR)
Karadipokku Junction
nesohr2006@hotmail.com
www.nesohr.org
0094 21 228 5986
Information Collected by
Statistical Centre for North East (SNE)
snepvtltd@gmail.com
0094212283952
First Edition in Tamil - 2005
First Edition in English - 2007
Copy Right
Permission is granted to reproduce
parts of this publication, for noncommercial purposes, without modification and
with due
Acknowledgement to NESOHR.
Lest
we forget – Massacres of Tamils 1956 2002
Report
by NESOHR, v
Information
Collected by SNE
Introduction
The State sponsored violence against the Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka
After a two year lull, the violent campaign by the military was re-launched
in 2004. This report documents a selected number the massacres prior to the
signing of the ceasefire agreement in 2002. Recording the massacres carried out
since 2004 will be a separate project.
Each of the selected massacres is described briefly. The
circumstances surrounding the massacre and an eyewitness account is provided
where ever possible. It is important to remember that the eye witnesses only report
what they saw. In reality one eye witness sees only a small part of the larger
atrocity that is planned and carried out by the State forces.
A map is also included in the description of each massacre
pinpointing the exact location of the incident. In many instances the local
people remember the massacre by building a monument for those killed. Pictures of
some of these monuments are also included in the pages. Names of
those killed included in the last pages – (Page192 – Page237).
In order to report on the true context of each massacre a more in
depth study requiring time and resources that currently the war torn Tamil community
does not have is needed. Such an intensive task must be undertaken in the near
future in order to set straight the distorted recent history of this island.
Two such studies have been published by NESOHR. One is on the Mandaithivu
disappearance in 1990 and the other is on the Piramanthanaru massacre. They can
be downloaded from the NESOHR website. It is fair to say that even these
reports are not complete in that it has not reported on each and every
disappearance and killing by the State forces in that particular massacre. Such
is the scale and cruelty of the State’s violations.
What follows is only a small step towards shining light on the
blacked out human rights history of the Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka
Background
As the instances of large scale massacres reported in this book demonstrates,
Tamil were subjected to ethnic cleansing by the Sri Lankan State long before a
single shot was fired by a Tamil militant against the Sri Lankan State’s armed
forces. Massacres were only a part of the ethnic cleansing program carried out
by the Sri Lankan State against the Tamils.
Huge swaths of land that traditionally belonged to the Tamils were
settled by Sinhala people who were brought there from far away places in the Sinhala
areas. Tamils were disenfranchised en masse and stripped of their language
rights. The list goes on. The problems came to the fore after the British
colonial powers withdrew from the island in 1948 giving it a unitary
constitution. In effect this constitution handed over the power to the Sinhala
majority. It is this unitary constitution and the power in the hands of the
Sinhalese that lead to the unrestrained violence against the Tamils and large
scale violations of their basic human rights.
The island was under three consecutive colonial rulers the
Portuguese, Dutch and the British since the 16th century. Documented history
during these three periods reveals that the colonial rulers maintained a
separation of the Tamil and Sinhala communities in their administrative
systems.
This separation was eventually eroded by the final constitution
left by the last colonial ruler, Britain India
This was soon followed by the ‘Sinhala only’ Language Act that
made the Tamil speaking people stripped of their right to use their language in
their jobs, in their courts, and in their communications with the State. The sense
of alienation from the State was further intensified when Tamils were faced
with discrimination in education and jobs as well.
Since the British left the island, Tamil political representatives
have negotiated with successive governments to draw up new models of governance
that will give some powers to the Tamil areas to manage their own affairs.
However, the two major political parties that dominated the politics of the
Sinhala people fed on the anti-Tamil sentiments of the Sinhala people to gain
votes among them. In other words whenever the party in power came to a
negotiated agreement with Tamil representatives for power sharing, the Sinhala
party in opposition would whip up the animosity of the Sinhala people against
the Tamils forcing the party in power to abrogate the agreement.
This violence, land grab, discrimination and abrogated agreements
lead the Tamil youth of the 1970’s to take up arms to fight for the independence
of Tamileelam. The thirty year history since the armed struggle was launched by
the Tamil youth for an independent Tamileelam is also scattered with many peace
negotiations between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil political and
militant groups. All of them also broke down due to the intransigence of the
Sinhala leaders and their polity. The
struggle by the Tamils for self determination continues.
The history of the Tamil and Sinhala people prior to the arrival
of the colonial powers more than 500 years ago, is marred in controversy. At
the root of this confusion is a Sinhala Buddhist text called Mahavamsa, written
about 600 years ago. Early western historians, in the absence of any other
evidence, taking much of this text to be true, propagated theories based on
them. This text was further reinterpreted in the 20th century by
Buddhist revivalists. In their reinterpretation the Tamil presence in the
island was relegated as late coming invaders and it also elevated the Sinhala
people as the rightful owners of the island. This has had profound effect on
the thinking of the contemporary Sinhala people leading to their intransigence
to share power with the Tamils.
Recent archeological research in the Tamil homeland has thrown
much light on the presence of a civilization in this island several millenniums
ago and predating the arrival of Buddhism in this island. This archeological
evidence show much in common with what has been unearthed in Tamilnadu in India
However, there is no doubt that the Tamil and Sinhala peoples
lived in this island for several thousand years.
Method of Data Collection
The data collection project was started after the signing of the
ceasefire agreement in 2002 which allowed relatively free access to all areas
of Northeast. The questioner used to collect data is a table printed over both
sides of a large sheet of paper with 21 columns in it. Data on each affected
person is entered in one row.
The columns in the table are,
1) Row number; 2) Full name of informant; 3) Full name of affected
person; 4) Relationship to informant; 5) Age of the affected person at the time
of incident; 6)Sex; 7) Permanent address; 8) Temporary address; 9)Location of
incident; 10)Year of incident; 11)Occupation of the affected person at the time
of incident; 12) Number of dependents on the affected person under the age of
18 at that time; 13) Incident on Land or Sea; 14) In what form the person is
affected; 15) What type of violence was used; 16) Offender; 17) Occasion of
arrest; 18) Occasion of disappearance; 19) Type of limb lost; 20) Other type of
injury; 21) Notes.
Data collectors were employed on contract basis. A university
graduate was appointed as the coordinator for each district. Permission was obtained
from the District Secretariat (Kachcheri) and the help of the Grama Sevakar was
sought to ensure all households were covered. In addition, the team for each
village had at least one person from that village as additional method of
ensuring no household in the village is missed in the data collection.
In addition to collecting the above data affidavits were collected
from families where the affected person has either died or disappeared.
A word of caution to the readers
Large scale displacement had taken place among the Tamil community
since the late 1970’s. The data collection based on which this report is
written did not include those who have moved to places outside Northeast, many
of whom are in fact living as refugees in other countries.
Also missing are information about families that were killed en
masse because no one is left in the villages to report about them.Given
these two shortcomings in the data collection, what is described in this report
is not a complete document about the large scale massacres of Tamil people
committed by the SLAFs prior to the 2002 ceasefire agreement.
Tamil
Genocide under Neo-Nazism
Massacres
1. Inginiyakala massacre [05.06.1956 ]
2. 1958 pogrom
3. Tamil research conference massacre ‐10.01.1974
4. 1977 communal pogrom
5. 1981 communal pogrom
6. Burning of the Jaffna
7. 1983 communal pogrom
8. Thirunelveli massacre ‐ 24, 25.07.1983
9. Sampalthoddam massacre ‐ 1984
10. Chunnakam Police station massacre ‐08.01.1984
11. Chunnakam market massacre ‐ 28.03.1984
12. Mathawachchi – Rampawa ‐ September 1984
13. Point Pedro – Thikkam massacre ‐ 16.09.1984
14. Othiyamalai massacre ‐ 01.12.1984
15. Kumulamunai massacre ‐ 02.12.1984
16. Cheddikulam massacre ‐ 02.12.1984
17. Manalaru massacre ‐ 03.12.1984
18. Blood soaked Mannar ‐ 04.12.1984
19. Kokkilai‐Kokkuthoduvai massacre ‐ 15.12.1984
20. Vankalai church massacre ‐ 06.01.1986
21. Mulliyavalai massacre ‐ 16.01.1985
22. Vaddakandal massacre ‐ 30.01.1985
23. Puthukkidiyiruppu Iyankovilady massacre 21.04.1985
24. Trincomalee massacres in 1985
25. Valvai‐85 massacre 10.05.1985
26. Kumuthini Boat massacre 15.05.1985
27. Kiliveddi massacre in 1985
28. Thiriyai massacre ‐ 08.06.1985
29. Sampaltivu ‐ 04 to 09.08.1985
30. Veeramunai massacre ‐ 20.06.1990
31. Nilaveli massacre 16.09.1985
32. Piramanthanaru massacre ‐ 02.10.1985
33. Kanthalai‐85 massacre ‐ 09.11.1985
34. Muthur Kadatkaraichenai ‐ 08, 09, 10.11.1985
35. Periyapullumalai massacre in 1986
36. Kilinochchi Railway Station massacre ‐ 25.01.1986
37. Udumbankulam massacre ‐ 19.02.1985
38. Vayaloor massacre ‐ 24.08.1985
39. Eeddimurinchan massacre ‐ 19, 20.03.1986
40. Anandapuram shelling ‐ 04.06.1986
41. Kanthalai‐86 massacre ‐ 04, 05.06. 1986
42. Mandaithivu sea massacre ‐ 10.06.1986
43. Seruvila massacre ‐ 12.06.1986
44. Thambalakamam massacres ‐ 1985, 1986
45. Paranthan farmer’s massacre ‐ 28.06.1986
46. Peruveli refugee camp massacre ‐ 15.07.1986
47. Thanduvan bus massacre ‐ 17.07.1986
48. Mutur Manalchenai massacre ‐ 18.07. 1986
49. Adampan massacre ‐ 12.10.1986
50. Periyapandivrichchan massacre ‐ 15.10.1986
51. Kokkadichcholai‐87 massacre ‐ 28.01.1987
52.
Paddithidal massacre ‐ 26.04.1987
53.
Thonithiddamadu massacre ‐ 27.05.1987
54.
Alvai temple shelling ‐ 29.05.1987
55. Eastern University massacre ‐ 23.05.1990
56. Sammanthurai massacre ‐ 10.06.1990
57. Xavierpuram massacre ‐ 07.08.1990
58. Siththandy massacre ‐ 20, 27.07.1990
59. Paranthan junction massacre ‐ 24.07.1990
60. Poththuvil massacre ‐ 30.07.1990
61. Tiraikerny massacre ‐ 06.08.1990
62. Kalmunai massacre ‐ 11.08.1990
63. Thuranilavani massacre ‐ 12.08.1990
64. Eravur hospital massacre ‐ 12.08.1990
65. Koraveli massacre 14.08.1990
66. Nelliyadi market bombing ‐ 29.08.1990
67. Eravur massacre ‐ 10.10.1990
68. Saththurukkondan massacre ‐ 09.09.1990
69. Natpiddymunai massacre ‐ 10.09.1990
70. Vantharamullai‐90 massacre ‐ 05, 23,09,1990
71. Mandaithivu disappearances ‐ 23.08.1990,
25.09.1990
72. Oddisuddan bombing ‐ 27.11.1990
73. Puthukkudiyiruppu junction bombing
74. Vankalai massacre ‐ 17.02.1991
75. Vaddakkachchi bombing ‐ 28.02.1991
76. Vantharumoolai ‐ 09.06.1991
77. Kokkadichcholai‐91 massacre ‐ 12.06.1991
78. Pullumalai massacre ‐ 1983‐1990
79. Kinniyadi massacre ‐ 12.07.1991
80. Akkarayan hospital massacre ‐ 15.07.1997
81. Uruthrapuram bombing ‐ 04.02.1991
82. Karapolla‐Muthgalla massacre ‐
29.04.1992
83. Vattrapalai shelling ‐ 18.05.1992
84. Thellipalai temple bombing ‐ 30.05.1992
85. Mailanthai massacre ‐ 09.08.1992
86. Kilali massacre ‐1992, 1993
87. Maaththalan bombing ‐ 18.09.1993
88. Chavakachcheri‐Sangaththanai bombing ‐ 28.09.1993
89. Kokuvil temple massacre & bombing ‐ 29.09.1993
90. Kurunagar church bombing ‐ 13.11.1993
91. Chundikulam‐94 massacre ‐ 18.02.1994
92. Navali church massacre ‐ 09.07.1995
93. Nagarkovil bombing ‐ 22.05.1995
94. Chemmani mass graves in 1996
95. Kilinochchi town massacre ‐ 1996‐1998
96. Kumarapuram massacre ‐ 11.02.1996
97. Nachchikuda strafing ‐ 16.03.1996
98. Thambirai market bombing ‐ 17.05.1996
99. Mallavi bombing ‐ 24.07.1996
100. Pannankandy massacre ‐ 05.07.1997
101. Kaithady Krishanthi massacre ‐ 07.09.1996
102. Vavunikulam massacre ‐ 26‐09‐1996, 15‐08‐1997
103. Konavil bombing ‐ 27.09.1996
104. Mullivaikal bombing ‐ 13.05.1997
105. Mankulam shelling ‐ 08.06.1997
106. Thampalakamam massacre ‐ 01.02.1998
107. Old Vaddakachchi bombing ‐ 26.03.1998
108. Suthanthirapuram massacre ‐ 10.06.1998
109. Visuvamadhu shelling ‐ 25.11.1998
110. Chundikulam‐98 bombing 02.12.1998
111. Manthuvil bombing ‐ 15.09.1999
112. Palinagar bombing and shelling ‐ 03.09.1999
113. Madhu church massacre ‐ 20.11.1999
114. Bindunuwewa massacre
115. Mirusuvil massacre ‐ 19.12.2000
Names of those killed
1. Tamil research conference massacre ‐10.01.1974…………
2. Thirunelveli massacre ‐24, 25.07.1983
3. Chunnakam Police station massacre ‐ 08.01.1984
4. Chunnakam market massacre ‐ 28.03.1984
5. Othiyamalai massacre ‐ 01.12.1984
6. Kumulamunai massacre ‐ 02.12.1984
7. Blood soaked Mannar ‐ 04.12.1984
8. Mulliyavalai massacre ‐ 16.01.1985
9. Vaddakandal massacre ‐ 30.01.1985
10. Udumbankulam massacre ‐ 19.02.1985
11. Puthukkidiyiruppu Iyankovilady massacre ‐ 21.04.1985
12. Kumuthini Boat massacre 15.05.1985
13. Nilaveli massacre 16.09.1985
14. Piramanthanaru massacre ‐ 02.10.1985
15. Vankalai church massacre ‐ 06.01.1986
16. Thambalakamam massacres ‐ 1985, 1986
17. Kilinochchi Railway Station massacre ‐ 25.01.1986
18. Eeddimurinchan massacre ‐ 19, 20.03.1986
19. Anandapuram shelling ‐ 04.06.1986
20. Mandaithivu sea massacre ‐ 10.06.1986
21. Paranthan farmer’s massacre ‐ 28.06.1986
22. Thanduvan bus massacre ‐ 17.07.1986
23. Adampan massacre ‐
12.10.1986
24. Periyapandivrichchan massacre ‐ 15.10.1986
25. Kokkadichcholai‐87 massacre ‐ 28.01.1987
26. Paddithidal massacre ‐ 26.04.1987
27. Alvai temple shelling ‐ 29.05.1987
28. Sammanthurai massacre ‐ 10.06.1990
29. Veeramunai massacre ‐ 20.06.1990
30. Paranthan junction massacre ‐ 24.07.1990
31. Poththuvil massacre ‐ 30.07.1990
32. Tiraikerny massacre ‐ 06.08.1990
33. Nelliyadi market bombing ‐ 29.08.1990
34. Natpiddymunai massacre ‐ 10.09.1990
35. Vantharamullai‐90 massacre ‐ 05, 23,09,1990
36. Saththurukkondan massacre ‐ 09.09.1990
37. Mandaithivu disappearances ‐ 23.08.1990, 25.09.1990
38. Oddisuddan bombing ‐ 27.11.1990
39. Puthukkudiyiruppu junction bombing ‐ 30‐01‐1991
40. Uruthrapuram bombing ‐ 04.02.1991
41. Vankalai massacre ‐ 17.02.1991
42. Vaddakkachchi bombing ‐ 28.02.1991
43. Vattrapalai shelling ‐ 18.05.1992
44. Thellipalai temple bombing ‐ 30.05.1992
45. Kilali massacre ‐1992, 1993
46.
Maaththalan bombing ‐ 18.09.1993
47. Chavakachcheri‐Sangaththanai bombing ‐ 28.09.1993
48. Kurunagar church bombing ‐ 13.11.1993
49. Chundikulam‐94 massacre ‐ 18.02.1994
50. Navali church massacre ‐ 09.07.1995
51. Nagarkovil bombing ‐ 22.09.1995
52. Nachchikuda strafing ‐ 16.03.1996
53. Thambirai market bombing ‐ 17.05.1996
54. Mallavi bombing ‐ 24.07.1996
55. Pannankandy massacre ‐ 05.07.1997
56. Kaithady Krishanthi massacre ‐ 07.09.1996
57. Vavunikulam massacre ‐ 26‐09‐1996, 15‐08‐1997
58. Konavil bombing ‐ 27.09.1996
59. Mullivaikal bombing ‐ 13.05.1997
60. Mankulam shelling ‐ 08.06.1997
61. Thampalakamam‐98 massacre ‐ 01.02.1998
62. Old Vaddakachchi bombing ‐ 26.03.1998
63. Suthanthirapuram massacre ‐ 10.06.1998
64. Visuvamadhu shelling ‐ 25.11.1998
65. Palinagar bombing and shelling ‐ 10.06.1998
66. Manthuvil bombing ‐ 15.09.1999
67. Madhu church massacre ‐ 20.11.1999
68.
Mirusuvil massacre ‐ 19.12.2000...................................... 207
1. Inginiyakala massacre 05.06.1956
In the 1940s, the Minister of Agriculture at that time created
several Sinhala settlements in the Amparai district using state
funds. The minister created the Galoya development scheme in the Amparai
district and the Kantalai and Allai development scheme in the Trincomalee district
and brought. Sinhala settlers for these schemes from other districts. They were
given several incentives. Police and military protection were given as well.
Buddhist temples were built and big bells were fixed to these temples. An
arbitrary declaration was made that wherever the ringing of these bells could
be heard are lands belonging to Sinhala Buddhist people. In this land grab,
land belonging to Tamils and Muslims were confiscated.Thikavabi is a Sinhala
settlement created in this manner. In the parliamentary elections of 1956, S W
R D Bandaranayake was elected as the new prime minister. He submitted to the parliament the Sinhala
Only law which was his campaign promise.
The main Tamil political party of that time decided to protest this law peacefully.
On 05.06.1956, it launched a Satyagragha protest in front of the old parliament
building in the Gale Face beach in Colombo Colombo
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