Survivors and relatives of victims of the 1989 Valvettithurai massacre have submitted a detailed reparations claim to the Sri Lankan Office for Reparations, seeking USD $15 million (approximately LKR 4.5 billion) in compensation for the mass killing and destruction carried out by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) 36 years ago.
The claim, filed by the Citizens’ Committee of Valvettithurai, is the first to seek reparations for a mass atrocity committed by a foreign military on Sri Lankan soil.
It is reported that at least 66 civilians were killed and 34 injured during a three-day rampage from August 2 to 4, 1989. In addition to the loss of life, 123 houses and 43 shops were destroyed, with more than 250 additional homes damaged.
The formal submission was announced at a press conference held Sunday (Oct. 19) at the Vadamarachchi Press Club in Jaffna. Survivors and families of the victims gathered to light lamps and lay floral tributes in memory of those killed.
“Although the perpetrators were foreign troops, these atrocities occurred within the sovereign territory of Sri Lanka, and the victims were Sri Lankan citizens. Accordingly, the Government of Sri Lanka bears full responsibility to recognise, compensate, and restore justice to its own people who suffered during this tragedy,” Citizens’ Committee representative N. Anantharaj said in a letter to the Director General of the Office for Reparations.
A copy of the reparations claim and an accompanying report, which includes eyewitness testimonies, was also handed over to President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran. (Newswire)