What Happened
Kokkadichcholai is situated in the Batticaloa district. Farming, fishing and prawn farming were the main occupations of the people.
On 29.01.1987, Sri Lankan military began its attack on the village and continued it for three days. The military entered from multiple camps in military trucks and helicopters. They took people aged 14 to 40 and killed more than 200 of them.
A prawn farm was operated with aid from United States in Mahiladiththivu, employing a large number of workers. 135 workers in this prawn farm were among those killed on 28.01.1987. The military shot dead 24 people who took refuge in the Kokkadichcholai rice mill. Seven of those killed were aged 12 years old.
Watchman Sellathurai Ravinathan: "I left for work early in the morning. There were 2 or 3 helicopters circling in the air. I knew something was going to happen. I ran to the Prawn Farm together with many other men. We believed that because the Prawn Farm was owned by Westerners, we would be safe there.
The STF arrived. All the SLA on the road were pointing their guns towards the Prawn Farm. They fired their gun and everyone ran away. I took cover behind the little huts. They shot the little children who were in the Prawn Farm looking after the little birds. These poor children would come very early in the morning to make sure no birds attacked the prawns being farmed. They hoped to get something in return. How could they shoot such poor little children?
I heard no noise from the direction of the Prawn Farm. An old man stopped me and said 'Brother, please don't go back, they have shot every one.' My elder brother, who witnessed this massacre, lost his mind for three or four days."
Perpetrators
Sri Lankan Army
Sources & References
- NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I