Sampaltivu ­ 04 to 09.08.1985

A major military operation was launched between 04.09.1985 and 09.09.1985. This operation was aiming to chase away the Tamils from northern parts of Trincomalee. The three forces of the government of Sri Lanka (land, sea and air) were engaged in this attack on the civilians.

The Sri Lankan armed forces and home guards with heavy weapons were deployed in large numbers in the Central road, Ekamparam road, Veeranagar, Thirukadalur, Uppuveli, 3rd Milepost, Navalar road and Uppuveli junction. They started attacking Tamils. 1500 houses including the building of Sivanantha Thabovanam which sheltered 200 children and several shops were destroyed. Fishing equipment belonging to Tamil fishermen was stolen. More than 25 civilians were killed in this attack. No local or international

journalists were allowed into these areas.

A report by a local school principal, who was also the President of the Citizens Committee at that time, documented that in June 1985 alone 311 civilian were killed in Trincomalee district and in the month of September 383 civilians were killed. News about this report was published in the 21.12.1985 Saturday Review paper published from Jaffna.