Remembrances have taken place in Jaffna and the Wanni to remember victims of aerial bombings on a children’s home at Vallipunam in Mullaitivu 19 years ago that claimed the lives of 61 Tamils, including 54 schoolgirls.
Regional leaders of the NPP too, attended the events.
The attack that has come to be known as the Sencholai massacre on 14 August 2006 also left more than 150 injured, some disabled for life.
A remembrance event took place at the site, where relatives offered floral tributes and lit lamps and candles to victims’ photographs.
ITAK MP Thurairaja Raviharan was among those present.
Parallel events took place at the University and also the Municipal Council in Jaffna, where NPP MPs stood up as lamps were lit for the dead.
TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and others held a remembrance at Vallipunam.
The Air Force bombing of the facility occurred as a first aid and disaster workshop was taking place for the girls.
The then government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella defended the attack by saying the place had been identified as an LTTE training camp. Ceasefire monitors, UN and relief agencies that visited the scene later confirmed no military training had taken place there.