Victims of Kumuthini boat massacre remembered 37 years on

A remembrance event was held earlier today to remember the 36 Tamils that were massacred by Sri Lankan navy officers on board the Kumuthini boat on May 15, 1985. 

This morning, flowers were laid at a memorial in Neduntheevu dedicated to the victims. 

Eye witnesses reported seeing six plain clothed Sri Lankan navy officers boarding the Kumuthini boat and pointing a gun at passengers before ordering them to come up to the main deck one by one and shout their name and destination. 

Each passenger was then hacked to death. Witnesses reported seeing hacked body parts and blood across the deck. 

Amnesty International identified 23 of the victims and recorded eye witness accounts of those who survived the massacre. 

The Sri Lankan minister for national security at the time, Lalith Athulathmudali however denied the Sri Lankna navy's involvement. 

37 years later, no one has been held accountable for the massacre. 

 

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