What Happened
Thiriyai is situated in the northeast region of the Trincomalee district. On 08.06.1985, around 5:30am, Sri Lankan Air force helicopters flew at low level and began shooting. Sri Lankan military came in vehicles and told the people to leave the area before they begin shooting.
After people left, 700 houses were burnt down - 400 houses in Thiriyai and 300 houses in Kallapatrai. Stored paddy and farming equipment were burnt with the houses.
Following this incident, displaced people stayed in schools. On 08.08.1985, the Sri Lankan military attacked the civilians in the schools. Ten civilians were killed including retired Grama Sevakar Narayanapillai, President of the Thiriyai Multi Purpose Society K Thurainayagam, Secretary of Thiriyai refugees rehabilitation centre K.Ekamparam, and the Principal of Thiriyai Vidhyalayam P Mahadeva.
On 14.08.1985, 6 civilians were pulled out of a bus and hacked to death.
Perpetrators
Sri Lankan Army
Sources & References
- NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I