Destroyed Tamil Villages **Miravodai**
Destroyed Tamil Villages**Miravodai**
Past events, particularly after the beginning of the second phase of the Eelam War in 1990, show that many Tamil villages were systematically destroyed.
In several villages, in order to create fear among the people, attacks were carried out by the military and by home guards and other groups operating in cooperation with the military. Due to the destruction of property and security concerns, people were forced to leave their homes.
Such displacements occurred not only in remote border villages such as Mailanthani, which were far from urban centers and lacked direct access, but also in Tamil–Muslim border villages located close to towns.
It must be noted that these displacements affected not only Tamil villages but also Muslim villages. Another important point is that neither innocent Tamil nor Muslim civilians were responsible for the attacks on these villages or the looting of property.
During the second phase of the Eelam War, as well as earlier in 1985, the Sri Lankan state and its armed forces focused heavily on creating ethnic divisions between Tamil and Muslim communities and inciting riots. It was believed that by provoking such unrest, the Tamil Eelam struggle could be weakened.
To achieve this, young people from the Muslim community were recruited into home guard units, trained, and armed. In addition, provocative incidents between the two communities were carried out covertly. Attacks on Muslims, killings, abductions, and destruction of property were used as provocations to trigger retaliatory actions by home guard groups from the Muslim community.
Although not all incidents against Muslims were entirely part of a conspiracy, and some did have genuine elements, many events during the 1985 and 1990 periods were clearly planned provocations and conspiracies.
This is because, during the 1980s—particularly after the formation of the Special Task Force under the so-called “Mossad plan” in 1984—the STF focused heavily on inciting Tamil–Muslim riots. This was allegedly carried out according to that plan. During this period, numerous communal clashes occurred, and displacement from border villages also took place.
Later, in 1987, when Indian forces arrived in Sri Lanka under the Indo-Lanka Accord, they also carried out abuses, including attacks on Muslim civilians without explanation. Many women were subjected to sexual violence.
At that time, while the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were fighting the Indian forces, some Muslim communities in certain areas supported the LTTE. The Sri Lankan military at that time largely observed these events without intervention.
After the Indian forces withdrew in 1989, the Sri Lankan military resumed its actions. From 1990 onwards, the state and military intensified efforts to incite Tamil–Muslim tensions.
Because Tamil and Muslim people did not fully understand these conspiracies, they suffered greatly. Their long-standing harmony and brotherhood were destroyed. This ethnic division unfortunately continues in many areas even today.
Due to these systematic actions in the past, many villages continue to be destroyed. A clear example is the Tamil village of Miravodai in the Valachchenai area. Even today, traces of the destruction can still be seen.
Miravodai Tamil village is located in the western part of the Valachchenai area, along the lagoon. Its border villages include the Miravodai Muslim village to the north, Kondayankeni to the east, and Kinnaiyadi to the south.
Miravodai is one of the oldest villages in the Valachchenai region, believed to have been established before the 1800s. Many people who later settled in Valachchenai and surrounding areas originally came from Miravodai. The village has historically produced many educated individuals and professionals.
There was once a stream in the village where a type of fish called “Murakkai” was found, and since people fished there, the area was originally called “Murakkaiyodai.” Over time, this name evolved into “Muravodai,” and later “Miravodai.”
However, even this ancient name is now under threat. Not only has the village been destroyed, but its name has also been altered to “Meeravodai.” This has caused strong opposition among local Tamil residents, who insist that the original name “Miravodai” should be preserved in official records.
Miravodai was once a well-developed village with rich resources. Compared to surrounding villages, it had more brick houses and a relatively prosperous population.
Because the Tamil and Muslim villages were located side by side, relations between the two communities were generally good. People lived in harmony, visited each other’s homes, and celebrated festivals together.
Initially, the village had around 460 families. It also had several temples, including a Murugan temple, a Pillaiyar temple, and a Kali temple, where annual festivals were held.
One of the oldest schools in the Valachchenai area was also located here, and many of its former students now hold high positions in society.
Despite this rich history, the village has now been almost completely erased.
The first phase of destruction occurred in 1985, during communal violence in the area. Miravodai Tamil village was directly affected.
Security forces and other groups allegedly used Muslim youths to attack Tamil residents, while operating indirectly themselves.
As a result, most families in Miravodai fled their homes. Entire sections of the village, especially those near the boundary areas, were abandoned. Houses were damaged, looted, and left uninhabitable.
Fear prevented people from returning, and only a small portion of the village near the school and towards Kinnaiyadi remained inhabited.
The situation worsened further in 1990 with the start of the second phase of the Eelam War. Armed violence returned, and home guard units were deployed for the protection of Muslim villages, increasing fear among Tamil residents. More families left the area.
Later, a military camp was established near the school in Miravodai using abandoned houses. Bulldozers were used to demolish remaining homes, trees were cut down, and large areas up to the lagoon were cleared.
Roofing materials and doors from abandoned houses were removed—some with military assistance—and reused elsewhere, including for camp structures.
In total, around 275 houses were destroyed between the school area and the Muslim village boundary. Temples such as the Pillaiyar temple, Kali temple, and Murugan temple were also damaged or demolished. Some temple structures still remain in a partially destroyed condition.
Due to the fear in 1990, nearly all families migrated to Valachchenai, Sungankeni, Kannankiramam, and Vinayagapuram, causing the school to stop functioning normally.
The school was temporarily relocated to Kinnaiyadi Vigneswara Vidyalayam in the evenings. Later it was moved again to Vinayagapuram near Kannankiramam. However, due to continued displacement, student numbers dropped sharply from around 300 to fewer than 100.
As the school was the main institution keeping the village alive, its relocation led to the complete desertion of the village. Some people who occasionally visited the village disappeared; locals believe they were taken by home guards. Around ten people, including women, are said to have been abducted and killed.
After the 1995 ceasefire and peace talks between the LTTE and the Chandrika government, a few families returned to the Kinnaiyadi-adjacent area. However, most parts of the village remained uninhabited due to the military camp and destroyed housing. Many families continued to live elsewhere.
Returning residents relied mainly on fishing, but they were restricted by the military, allowed to fish only during the day in designated areas. Night fishing was prohibited, and fishermen were often arrested, assaulted, or even shot. Their livelihoods were severely affected, leaving them impoverished.
Within the next few years, about 50 families returned to Miravodai. Due to public pressure, the school was reopened in its original building in 1998. However, student numbers remained very low, with fewer than 50 attending daily classes.
Because houses were destroyed in both 1985 and 1990 and no proper resettlement or security was provided, the village remains in a destroyed state even today.
Currently, only about 75 families live there, mostly in the Kinnaiyadi-border area. Around 75% of the village land remains abandoned, with destroyed houses and ruins still visible.
The military camp established in 1990 still remains. The school marks one boundary of the village, while the rest remains open wasteland.
Interestingly, although Miravodai Tamil village suffered this fate, the nearby Muslim village did not face similar destruction. It was not attacked, nor were houses damaged or looted. People continue to live there safely even today.
Thus, this ancient Tamil village has been systematically destroyed, and its people have been displaced like orphans.
Today, the few families who have returned have built temporary shrines for Kali, Pillaiyar, and Murugan and continue worship there.
More than 400 families from this village now live in Valachchenai, Vinayagapuram, Kannankiramam, and Sungankeni. They state that they can only return if the military camp is removed and security is guaranteed. Many have even forgotten the village.
Although the school is functioning today, fewer than 50 students attend.
In the present situation, the general expectation is that this ancient village should be redeveloped, security ensured, and displaced villagers allowed to resettle. It is urged that all relevant parties work together toward this goal.
— S. Jayananda Murthy
Compiled by: Thamilarasan Abdul Kadhar
Translation by Hari
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