Kokkulai Camp Attack –13.02.1985
Kokkulai Camp Attack – 1985
Today is an unforgettable day in the history of the Tamileelam liberation struggle. The Kokkulai region of Mullaithivu district bears the pride of this day. Many of us may not even know that the place called “Kokkulai” is in Tamileelam. The reason is that our Tamil relatives, who were the owners of that land for about 35 years since 1984, had lost their lives there.
If we look back a little, I believe that some things will become clear.
On the way from Mullaithivu to Thiriconamalai, we can explore the lands rich in traditional resources of the Tamils, namely Thiriconamalai, through Silawattha, Alampil, Chemmalai, Nayaru, Kokkutthoduvai, Karunatukeni, Kokkulai, and Pulmottai. One side of these areas is part of the Indian Ocean, the other side is covered with large forests of the Manalaru River, and in the middle are the above-mentioned areas, which are inhabited by people.
Apart from this, the Nayar and Kokkulai rivers are also beautiful features of these areas. It is noteworthy that the Mullai Manalaru district, which includes marine resources, land for paddy cultivation, coconut palm resources, etc., was known in the history of the Tamileelam liberation struggle as the Mullai Manalaru district. Currently, when we look at Kokkulai, it is seen as a place of central importance. The reason is that Kokkulai is a connecting land that directly connects the north and the east.
During the year 1984, the Sri Lankan army not only set up a large military camp in the Kokkulai school but also carried out a military operation from Kokkulai to Alampil and forcibly evicted the people from their homes. The Sri Lankan government was also daydreaming that this would control the LTTE’s offensive. In the meantime, the displaced people fled as refugees to Ainth Kattai, Silawatta, Mulliyawela, Puthukkudiyuruppu and Yarlpanam, suffering without a place to stay. However, the people of Mullai Manalaru district did not give up their strong patriotism and sense of freedom. On the contrary, their incredible courage in standing shoulder to shoulder with the LTTE fighters is forever commendable.
The main objective of the establishment of the Kokkulai camp was to carry out Sinhala settlements in Kokkulai and the surrounding areas and to divide the North and East. The other reasons were to control the LTTE’s movements by sea and forest and to strengthen the army that was already camped in the urban area of Mullaithivu.
At this time, a plan was formulated by the National Leader of Tamileelam to teach the soldiers who were camped with pride a lesson. The national leader prepared a team of fighters who had completed their training in India and returned home and gave them special training and discipline for the capture of the Kokkulai camp. The LTTE, which had been practicing guerrilla warfare until then, decided to attack the Kokkulai camp in the traditional way. The attack team was properly scouted and moved through the forest. It is noteworthy that many commanders and fighters who have become heroes today took part in that attack. Lt. Col. Pulenthiran, Brigadier Sornam, Captain Anandan, Captain Lawrence, Lt. Saba, Lt. Jeevan, etc. are some of them.
The people themselves acted as guides, food organizers and first aiders for the attack on the Kokkulai camp. On 13.02.1985, the Kokkulai army was unexpectedly attacked by the LTTE. The brave fighters moved into the camp and fought. Many of the 200 soldiers stationed there were killed and many more were injured.
On the LTTE side, 16 LTTE fighters became maveerar. As help began to arrive for the army through the Kokkulai sea, the LTTE team retreated, carrying the wounded fighters on their shoulders and arms. It is no exaggeration to say that this attack taught the fighters a great lesson. At the same time, this attack also caused the army to panic and become disoriented. It is an undeniable fact that the attack on the Kokkulai camp was a model for many successful attacks that took place later.
Today we remember the maveerar who made themselves famous that day.
Lieutenant Simon
Lieutenant Palal
Veeravengai Kennedy
Veeravengai Kantharupan
Veeravengai Jagan (Iti Amin)
Veeravengai Gandhi
Veeravengai Ravi
Veeravengai Vetha
Veeravengai Ranjan Mama
Veeravengai Katan
Veeravengai Mayuran
Veeravengai Soni
Veeravengai Thanapalan
Veeravengai Shankari
Veeravengai Mahan
Veeravengai Nimal
Tamils’ thirst is Tamileelam
13.02.2019
– Kalaimagal
(Translation by Tamilpriya)
அன்று தம்மை ஆகுதியாக்கிய மாவீரர்களை
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