Thambalakamam Massacres

June 20, 1986
Thambalakamam, Trincomalee
Mass killing
34
Killed

What Happened

Thampalakamam is a famous village in the Trincomalee district. The main economic base is agriculture.

On 12.11.1985, Sri Lankan military rounded up Thampalakamam and 9 people were shot dead.

On 26.11.1985, three farmers were shot dead and their bodies were burnt by the military.

Near the temple five people were shut in a shop and burnt. Two died, three were rescued with severe burns.

On 25.05.1986, three refugees - a mother and two sons - who went to check on their homes were shot dead.

On 30.05.1986, military in black uniform entered a home and killed the father, mother and two children. A 13 year old girl and another woman escaped with injuries.

On 17.06.1986, 8 farmers disappeared from their fields.

On 20.06.86, the Sri Lankan Air Force and Army made a joint attack on the village. More than 25 displaced villagers took refuge in a rice mill. The military arrived and arrested all the people and took them. Their bodies were recovered in the forest. 34 people died.

On the same day in Sampalthivu five civilians were shot dead. One Thankarasa was set alight inside his car.

Perpetrators

Sri Lankan Army

Sources & References

  • NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I

Documented Victim Demographics

Based on victims with documented names and details

Documented Victims (19 names)

# Name Age Occupation
1 Kanapathipillai Sithambaranathan Worker
2 Suppiah Santhakumar Sheller
3 Kanapathipillai Sabanayakam 51 Worker
4 Segar Kanapathipillai -
5 Kanagasabapathy Puvaneswary -
6 Kanagasabapathy Ranji -
7 Kanagasabapathy Thasan -
8 Kanagasabapathy Theesan -
9 Kanagasabapathy Theepan -
10 Subramaniam Selvarani -
11 Subramaniam Suthakaran -
12 Kanthasamy Kanagasabapathy -
13 Subramaniam Jeyananth -
14 Muniiya Lexsumy 37 -
15 Segar Vanitha -
16 Segar Rathiga -
17 Segar Kanthamuthu -
18 Subramaniam Sasikaran -
19 Subramaniam Jeyarani -
Children (age ≤ 12)