Victims of Kumudhini boat massacre remembered

School students and relatives of victims remembered the victims of Kumudhini massacre on Friday at St James Church, Delft island 

Relatives of victims and locals in Delft island, Jaffna organized a collective memorial event to remember the victims of Kumudhwini boat massacre where 36 Tamil civilians including women and children were massacred at mid sea on May 15, 1985. 

The 41st death anniversary was organized by locals and a collective memorial event was held under the leadership of parish priest Rev P. Kamaraj. Relatives of victims, Hindu religious leaders, villagers and youth groups from nearby islands took part in the collective commemoration event. 

On May 15, 1985, 36 Tamil civilians including women and children were massacred by Sri Lankan Navy personnel at mid sea when their boat ‘Kumudhini’ was on the way to Nainathivu after departing from Delft island.

Even after 41 years passed no one was brought before justice over the heinous crime in any court in the country despite survivor testimonies and evidences collected by Tamil human rights groups in the past.  (Northeastern Monitor/ May 16/2026)