Memorial for Vanthaarumoolai disappeared

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 March 2000, 06:41 GMT]
Relatives and people of Batticaloa are planning to erect a memorial as a rememberance to the 158 civilians who disappeared from the refugee camp at the Eastern University at Vanthaarumoolai, Batticloa, after being arrested and taken to the army camp by the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) in 1990.

Eastern University in Batticaloa served as a refugee camp for civilians displaced by Eelam War II which began on 11th of June 1990 between the Liberation Tigers and Sri Lankan Government forces.

The 158 refugees who were taken into custody from the refugee camp during the cordon and search operation conducted by the SLA between 5th November 1990 and 23rd November 1990 were never seen again and are presumed killed while under SLA custody.

T.Seevaratnam of Eastern University organized a general meeting at Vanthaarumoolai Vishnu Vidhyalam assembly hall last Sunday to discuss plans to erect a memorial for the disappeared.

An administrative committee with Professor T.Jeyasingam as the President and Mr.T.Seevaratnam as the Secretary was formed and was entrusted with the task of collecting funds and building the memorial.