What Happened
In 1996, the Sri Lankan military launched Operation "Sathjeya-01" moving south from Elephant Pass into Kilinochchi, setting up a camp in Paranthan. Military intelligence infiltrated civilian areas, attacking and killing people in their homes or displaced people who returned to collect belongings. Operations "Sathjeya-02" and "Sathjeya-03" followed, and the military entered Kilinochchi town, creating a militarized zone occupying people's homes and farmlands. 184 civilians disappeared during this period - most were killed. When people returned to their homes, skeletons were recovered from toilet pits and wells. 72 skeletons were recovered in Kilinochchi and surroundings; 12 were identified by relatives based on clothes. The families of those killed now live in extreme poverty in Akkarayan, Mallavi, Jeyapuram and Puthukkidiyiruppu.
Perpetrators
Sri Lankan Army
Sources & References
- NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I