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Sri Lanka Air Force bombs boat factory that served the tsunami victims

A 32 years old woman living in a house nearby was injured and admitted to hospital. Her leg had to be amputated and she is in a serious condition.

The private boat factory "Cholai" owned by S Mahenthiran, manufactured fiberglass boats used by fishermen. It is a boatyard registered with the Sri Lanka Government. It is also located very close to the "Thirumuruhandy" temple on the A9 High Way, a very popular landmark for any traveler on the A-High Way.

About 300 very poor people, including women, were employed in the factory giving them the only income to support their families. The factory took orders from international agencies like UNDP and UNICEF during the tsunami period. Currently it was manufacturing boats for order from the Government Agent of Kilinochchi. Todate it had manufactured 350 boats.

12 houses of civilians around the boatyard were damaged. The injured woman, Chandrasekaram Rubi aged 32, was living in one of these houses.

Some of the shops located near the famous Thirumuruhandy temple also sustained some damages. Many bomb shrapnel were found around the temple premises.

The children from the nearby school of Thirumuruhandy Hindu Government School kept away from school despite a district wide examinations that was being held.

The destructions of this boatyard, located on the A9 High Way very near a famous travelers' landmark must be interpreted as a deliberate act to destroy the economic targets of the civilians.

16 November 2007

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