Thirunelveli Massacre

July 24, 1983 - July 25, 1983
Thirunelveli, Jaffna
Mass killing
51
Killed

What Happened

Thirunelveli comes under the Nallur Assistant Government Agent Division in the Jaffna district. It is located north of the Jaffna town, 3 Kms from it, along the Palaly road. Jaffna University, Jaffna Technical College and several Government offices are located in Thirunelveli.

On 23.07.1983 at 11:45 am, a Sri Lankan military vehicle on patrol came under a landmine attack on Palaly Road between Parameshwara Junction and Thirunelveli Junction. Thirteen Sri Lankan military soldiers were killed in this attack.

That night and on the following day, the military entered the homes of civilians in Palaly Road and SivanAmman village and in total they shot dead 51 people. Many homes were set alight.

Perpetrators

Sri Lankan Security Forces

Sources & References

  • NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I

Documented Victim Demographics

Based on victims with documented names and details

Documented Victims (14 names)

# Name Age Occupation
1 Nagalingam Sivalingam 35 Supervisor
2 Sinnaiya Sathananthan 40 Watch Repairer
3 Kanthaiya Sanmukanathan 60 -
4 Seevaratnam Thaventhiran 19 Student
5 Kanakaratnam Kirusnanantham 33 Business
6 Sanmukanathan Saththiyathevan 18 Salesman
7 Palachchanthiran Ajith 6 (Child) Child
8 Thankarasa Kajendhiran 9 (Child) Student
9 Selvakanthini 11 (Child) Child
10 Pilip Alociyas Yokarasa Santhirasekaram 34 Business
11 Ponnaiya Bararayasingam - Teacher
12 Ramasami Nagarasa 24 Labourer
13 Supramaniyam Barameswaran 39 Manager
14 Sinnaththampi Saravanamuththu 39 Teacher
Children (age ≤ 12)