What Happened
Alvai village is situated in Jaffna district. The Muthtumariamman temple in Alvai is one of the famous temples in Jaffna.
On 29.05.1987, the Sri Lankan military launched its Operation Liberation attack on Jaffna. Through pamphlets dropped from air and through announcements on military radio, people were asked to take refuge in temples.
The Muthimariamman temple was filled with around 10,000 people from the villages of Alvai, Inparuddi, Thikkam, Vathiri, Nelliadi, Thampasiddi, Puloly and Karaveddi.
On that fatal day at 11:00pm, a shell fired by the military fell on a tree in front of the temple. Some people sitting under the tree were injured. The next shell fell inside the temple - many were killed including women and children. The following shells fell in another part of the temple killing two young men.
The three shells falling inside the temple caused panic among the people. 40 people died inside the temple and many were injured.
Perpetrators
Sri Lankan Army
Sources & References
- NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I