Tharmapuram Shelling (7 Killed, 2009)

January 8, 2009
Tharmapuram, Kilinochchi
Shelling
7 +
Killed

What Happened

The Sri Lanka Army fired artillery shells targeting Tharmapuram Junction, the remaining centre of displaced civilians in Vanni killing at least four and causing injuries to many around 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, after artillery shelling killed three, including a child in Vaddakkachchi. Two of the slain victims were children. The attack has targeted Tharmapuram Junction, which is located 75 meters from the hospital. Tension and chaos prevailed in the hospital, which was full of the wounded civilians, as they were forced to seek shelter from the artillery barrage. The shelling on the civilian administrative centre in densely populated Vanni comes in the wake of SLA denial of medical transport and humanitarian supplies to the civilian population in Vanni.

Perpetrators

Sri Lankan Army

Sources & References

  • https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=27949

Documented Victim Demographics

Based on victims with documented names and details

Documented Victims (4 names)

# Name Age Occupation
1 Thommai Kalingan Dulan 15 -
2 Markandu Janakaraj 16 -
3 Antony Mariyathas 17 -
4 Anton Nisanthini 23 -
Children (age ≤ 12)