53 School girls killed in 2006 SLAF bombing, remembered

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 August 2007, 02:03 GMT]
The first anniversary of the death of fifty three school girls killed at Va'l'lipunam Chegnchoalai orphanage premises from an aerial raid by Kfir fast attack crafts belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on 14 August 2006, was observed throughout Vannni in Ki'linochchi and Mullaitheevu districts at 10:00 a.m Tuesday, sources in Vanni said.



The portraits of the school girls and staff killed in the SLAF bombing were displayed in all venues where the commemoration events were held. Friends, class mates, parents, relatives and local public paid respects to the school children killed and paid floral tribute to their portraits.

Commemoration events were held simultaneously at Ki'linochchi Cultural Hall, Vaddakkachchi Public Hall, Visuvamadau Mahaa Vithiyaaalayam, Paranthan Hindu Maha Vithiyaalyam, Mallaavi Maha Vithiyalaayam and Akkaraayan Vithiyaalayam, in Ki'linochchi district.

Mullaiththeevu Regional Director of Education, P. Ariyaratnam, participated in the commemoration event held at Udaiyaarkaddu Mahaavithiyalayam by lighting the common flame of sacrifice.



In Mullaiththeevu disrtrict the event was observed at Udaiyaarkaddu Maha Vithiyalayam and in the Golden Jublee Hall at Puthukudiyiruppu Central College.

Head of Tamil Eelam Education Centre, V. Illangkumaran hoisted the Tamil Eelam National flag at the event while Ki'linochchi Education Regional deputy director lit the flame of sacrifice.



K. V. Balakumar, the senior member of Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). V. Illangkumaran and Ki'linochchi Traders' Union Secretary, S. Navaratnakumar delivered speeches in remembrance of the 53 school girls killed.

Tamils Rehabilitation (TRO) Administrative officer, M. Jeraad, presided the commemoration event held at Ki'linochchi Cultural Hall. Rev. Fr. I. Reginald of Annai Illam Psychological Resource Centre lit the Common Flame.