Nineteenth death anniversary of 39 Tamil civilians who were massacred by on 9th August 1992 at Punaanai Maiyilanthanai village, 50 km off north of Batticaloa city, was commemorated on Tuesday. The victims, including pregnant women, children and elders, were shot and hacked to death by a group of soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army from a camp located at Punaanai railway station.
35 Tamils died on the spot and four others died in the hospital after admission. 34 others were seriously injured.
Kith and kin of the massacred Tamil civilians Tuesday offered prayers at Saiva temples.
The massacre took place one day after the then Jaffna Commander of Sri Lanka Army, Major General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, was killed in a landmine explosion that took place on August 8, 1992 at Araalith-thu’rai in Jaffna district.
The SL army officers and soldiers involved in the massacre of Tamils had been given promotions and not punished.
About forty persons who saw the massacre had given evidence before the SL Presidential Commission and in cases filed in the law courts. The report of the Presidential Commission appointed to hold inquiry into the massacre is yet to be released.
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