Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member Ananthy Sasitharan and former Northern Provincial Councillor (NPC) M.K. Sivajilingham paid tribute to the victims of the Navaly church massacre which took place 26 years ago today.
Despite the heavy security presence, both politicians lit flames and laid flowers at the memorial constructed for the victims of the bombing.
On this day 26 years ago, Sri Lankan air force jets dropped a total of 13 bombs on Tamils as they sheltered at the St Peter's Church and the nearby Kathirgama Murugan Kovil. More than 140 sheltering Tamils, who were encouraged by the military to seek refuge at the church, were killed on the spot.
Before the assault, the Sri Lankan Air Force dropped leaflets saying that they should seek shelter in places of worship to avoid being targeted.
M.K. Sivajilingham stated that the massacre was a "senseless" act carried out by the Sri Lankan Air Force:
"The Sri Lankan Air Force’s senseless action of dropping 13 bombs on St Peter's Church and surrounding temples, resulted in the death of 147 people and injury to over 300. This occurred during the reign of former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike [Kumaratunga] […] and they said that the bombings were “accidental”. It was not one or two bombs… it was 13 bombs. Today is the 26th anniversary where government officials and student leaders were among those killed in this horrific Tamil genocide. We pay our tributes today for those fallen. The only way we can seek justice for this genocide is with a [political] solution that involves self-governance of Tamil people."
Sasitharan recalled her account of the incident and described the vivid aftermath:
“Refugees who sought asylum from places like Periyavilaan and vilan lived in the St. Peter’s Church. Due to the dropping of the bombs, for the sake of government duty they were killed here. Even though 136 people were killed initially, many died from injuries subsequently. For the reason of registering some of the refugees, I was due to visit the St. Peter’s Church at the time of the incident was diverted away due to another commitment. Just moments after the incident occurred, I witnessed very horrific scenes. At the St.Peter’s Church was bloody flesh and the stench of blood. This was unforgettable. I hope the young and elderly that perished all achieve peace of their soul. These fallen should be forever remembered.”
