28th anniversary of Navaly church massacre commemorated at St. Peter's Church

by Ephraim
Jul 10, 2023

The St. Peter's Church solemnly marked the 28th anniversary of the Navaly church massacre on July 9th to remember the victims that were killed by the Sri Lanka'a Air Force.

The Navaly church massacre took place on July 9th, 1995, when three Sri Lankan Air Force jets dropped 13 bombs on St. Peter's Church, along with St. Paul's Church and the Murugan Kovil in Navaly. The victims had sought refuge in these places of worship, seeking shelter from the ongoing shelling in the Valikamam area during the military offensive to recapture the Jaffna peninsula.

Read more on the massacre here: 'Bombs rolling in the air' - Remembering the Navaly church massacre. 

The commemorative service was led by the parish priest of St. Peter's Church, who offered prayers and reflections for the victims and their families.

After the service, relatives of the victims and members of the local community gathered to pay their respects. Flowers were laid, and candles were lit as a symbol of remembrance for the 147 lives lost on that fateful day. Among the victims were 13 children, while over 350 people were injured during the attack.

 

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