Battle of Kokavil

Following the resumption of hostilities after the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force, the Eelam War II of the Sri Lankan Civil War started in June 1990. In early June 1990, LTTE militants attacked SLA forces in the area of Mankulam. These initial attacks were repulsed but by June 12, both Mankulam and Kokavil were surrounded. On the 11 June 1990, the Sri Lankan government ordered over 600 police officers to surrender to the LTTE after their police stations were surrounded, who were then massacred.[2]

The Army has established an encampment in Kokavil to protect the Rupavahini Relay Station and facilities located there. The A Company, 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment was deployed in Mankulam and Kokavil. With the detachment at Kokavil under the command of Lieutenant Saliya Aladeniya. On June 16 a ceasefire was declared so negotiations can take place. Shortly after this sixteen soldiers, from the detachment left on leave leaving 69 officers and soldiers at the camp who were reservists from a volunteer battalion.[2][3]

On June 27, the camp was surrounded by the LTTE who lay siege to the camp for 14 days attacking the amp was constantly. Medicine, food and water were in short supply. Supplies were dropped by helicopters. Because of heavy LTTE fire, the supplies had to be dropped from high above the camp. Much of it landed outside the perimeter of the camp and was lost.[2]

The final attack was to start on July 10, and the LTTE started building up forces around the camp. Reinforcements for the soldiers at the camp were not able to arrive because the routes were blocked. That evening the SLA soldiers were left with only 300 rounds of ammunition. By next morning some 30 soldiers were still alive, half of them seriously wounded. The SLA commanding officer, Lieutenant Aladeniya, was given the order to evacuate, but he refused because he did not want to leave his wounded men. On the evening of July 11, communication with the camp was lost. At 11:45 p.m. the camp was overrun.[2]

All of the 69 officers and soldiers were declared missing in action by the Sri Lankan Army as it could not reach the location. The LTTE destroyed the relay station and tower. Lieutenant Saliya Aladeniya was posthumously promoted to rank of captain and honoured with the highest award for bravery, the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya on 21 June 1994.[2]

Kokavil was recaptured by troops from the 57 Division in October 2008 during the Battle of Kilinochchi (2008–2009).[4] The Kokavil transmission tower was rebuilt along with a memorial for the 69 soldiers of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment who died in the battle.[5]

• List of Sri Lankan Civil War battles
• 1990 Batticaloa massacre