Massacred Mandaitivu Tamil fishermen remembered

[TamilNet, Thursday, 10 June 2004, 16:11 GMT]
18th death anniversary of 31 Tamil fishermen who were killed by the Sri Lanka Navy by cutting with swords in midsea when they were engaged in fishing in Mandaitivu sea area in Jaffna peninsula on 10th June, 1986 was observed Thursday.

Reverend Fr. Joseph Jeyaseelan Thursday morning declared open the newly constructed monument in remembrance of those dead at Gurunagar junction in Jaffna town. Relations and friends paid homage to the dead 31 fishermen in the graveyard where their bodies were buried.

Later in the evening a football tournament was held in the memory of the dead fishermen and challenge cups and certificates were awarded to the winners.

Sea Tigers Commander Mangales, Sea Tigers District Political Administrative head Mr. Iniyavan, Vadamarachchi head Mr. Anbu senior cadre Mr. Maravan and Jaffna Divisional Secretary Mr. P.Senthilnathan and Parish Priest of St Johns Church participated in the event.

The Sri Lanka Army in its military operation in 1996 destroyed the monument for the 31 fishermen constructed in the premises of Gurunagar Community Centre building by the Fisheries Development Society in July 1986. The only fisherman Mr.Semon Mariyathas (41) who escaped death in the massacre is still alive.