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Slaughter of Buddhist priests at Aranthalawa, Ampara.

Incident Details
 
Name Slaughter of Buddhist priests at Aranthalawa, Ampara.
Incident Date 1987-06-02
 
Description
The Aranthalawa Massacre took place when a bus carrying Buddhist priests, most of whom were novice monks, and a few civilians were approached by 20 armed LTTE cadres near the village of Nuwaragalatenna, led by an LTTE leader named Reagan. The driver let them in, mistaking them for Sri Lankan security force members. They then ordered the driver of the bus, which was carrying the monks on a pilgrimage from their temple in Mahavapi to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, to drive into the nearby Aranthalawa jungle to a site where other LTTE members were waiting for them. After the bus stopped at the site, an LTTE cadre entered the bus ordered them to surrender any money and valuables, and the passengers complied. After this, they shot the driver dead. The chief priest of the Vidyananda Maha Pirivena, Hegoda Sri Indrasara Thera, permitted the cadres to kill him but asked them to spare the novices. He was then hacked to death. In a last-ditch effort, the children begged the cadres not to kill them; however, the cadres went on a rampage, attacking the young monks with guns and swords. Among the dead were 30 young novice monks between the ages of 7 and 18. Four civilians who were traveling in the bus were also among the dead. Three monks, who survived the massacre, sustaining critical injuries, continue to require medical assistance. Another monk was permanently disabled.
Location Of The Incident
Gallery

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