Pesalai Church Massacre

June 17, 2006
Pesalai, Mannar
Church attack / Retaliation
6
Killed

What Happened

After sea clash defeat, Navy took revenge on Tamil civilians in Pesalai. Tamils took refuge in Church of Our Lady of Victory. Navy cordoned area, blindly fired, positioned outside church walls, hailed grenades inside crowded church - 1 woman killed. Also shot fishermen rushing to shore - 5 found dead in boats. Burnt 40 boats, 25 huts, fishing nets worth 10 million rupees.

Perpetrators

Sri Lankan Navy

Sources & References

  • NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume II

Documented Victim Demographics

Based on victims with documented names and details

Documented Victims (6 names)

# Name Age Occupation
1 Woman killed in church Civilian
2 Fisherman 1 Fisherman
3 Fisherman 2 Fisherman
4 Fisherman 3 Fisherman
5 Fisherman 4 Fisherman
6 Fisherman 5 Fisherman
Children (age ≤ 12)