Among the historic temples in Jaffna are the Vallipuram temple and the Nagarkovil temple. Nagarkovil temple is located 8 Kms from the Vallipuram temple. In 1956, through the efforts of V Naganathan, the Jaffna-Nagarkovil Vidhyalayam was started by the Sri Lankan government. In 1967 this was upgraded to Mahavidhyalayam.
In 1990, people from the village of Mayiliddy were forced to displace from their village and around 600 of these families were living in Nagarkovil. As a result, the Nagarkovil School of 400 students went to 700 overnight. Following clashes in 1991, people from Vetrilaikerni, Aliyavalai, and Kaddakadu villages also displaced to Nagarkovil. After 1993 the student roll at the school went up to 830.
On 21.09.1995, the military shelled several areas in Jaffna from its Palaly camp. On 22.09.1995, Sri Lankan Air Force bombers dropped bombs on the Manalkadu church and destroyed it. Three civilians were killed. At 12.45 while the school was in session, 8 rockets were dropped on the school and the adjacent village. 7 students were killed inside their class room. A further 13 students died in the hospital. A further 42 students were seriously injured. As a result of the attacks on that day 40 civilians including 20 students died. 100 civilians including 42 students were injured.
Available names of victims (name, occupation, age)
1. Navamani Mithura, Student, 14
2. Markandu Nagaloosini, Student, 10
3. Palachsanthiran Rejitha, Student, 10
4. Pologarasa Thusyanthy, Student, 13
5. Kugasaravanamalai Tharshini, Student, 13
6. Navaratnasamy Umathevy, Student, 12
7. U.Tharshini, Student, 12
8. Sithamparapillai Sasiruby, Student, 11
9. Anton Mariamanogarathas Mariyarajith, Student, 09
10. Tharmalingham Ushananthini, Student, 14
11. Ramachchanthiran Sangeetha, Student, 14
12. Rasaratnam Umakanthan, Student, 16
13. Selvakulasingham Selvathy, Student, 17
14. Selvam, Student, 16
15. Antony Mariaros Antonythas, Student, 08
16. Ragavan, Student, 16
17. T.Samiththa, Student, 10
18. Mahalingham Shanmugavadivel, Student, 16
19. Mylvaganam Kananathan, Student, 13
20. Nagamuthu Senthilvel, Student, 15
21. Thambipillai Kopithan, Student
22. Krishnakopal Thavaseelan, Student, 13
23. Raveenthirarasa Amirtha, Student, 10
24. Thamotharampillai Saguntha, Student, 12
25. Albons Amalaviji, Student, 14
26. Rasaratnam Kavitha, Student, 10
27. Johnposko Karmilara, -, 04
28. Ramanathan Methini, Student, 13