Jaffna Lagoon Massacre, Kilaly

On the night of January 2nd 1993, SL Navy gun boats and speed boats attacked several small boats transporting civilians between the northern and southern shores of the Jaffna Lagoon, while giving chase to a LTTE speed boat [the land route was closed during this period due to the SLA controlling Elephant Pass]. Passengers were stabbed and shot under Navy searchlights.

The estimated number of the dead and severly wounded ranged between 35-100 though only 14 bodies were recovered. Many of the dead were dumped into a boat and burned, according to some eye witnesses. A large number of civilians have been killed while making this perilous journey. Another 19 passengers were killed on July 29 1993.