The Poonahar area of Kilinochchi district is a historically important area. This was a centre of ancient kingdoms and commerce. A fishing village in Poonahar is Nachchikuda. On 16.03.1996, early morning MI-24 helicopters belonging to the Sri Lankan military began strafing the Nachchikuda village settlement. People sleeping at home and fishermen at sea were hit by the shells. 16 people were killed. Hundreds of fishermen’s huts were burnt out. Following this attack the village displaced from Nachchikuda.
Available names of victims (name, occupation, age)
1. Kandaiah Rameshwaran, Student, 18
2. Kanagasingham Tharsini, Student, 10
3. Anton Jegatheepa, Student, 12
4. Soosaipillai Albert, Fisherman, 50
5. Albons Amalotpavarani, House wife, 22
6. Mahenthiran Jalini, Student, 18
7. Thavari Veelaji, -, 68
8. Julias Devin, Infant, 01
9. Kandasamy Senthilkumar, Student, 16
10. Victor Loosiya, -, 24
11. Arulanantham Seviar Visittamma, House wife, 55
12. Mariathas Edvin, Fisherman, 30
13. Seviar Konsala, Student, 14
14. Mery Amlini, Student, 18
15. Ponnampalam Selvarasa, Fisherman, 68
16. Aasaipillai Albons, Fisherman, 50
17. Marianayagam Thiresamma
18. Kuvaddasges Sinrasan
19. Anton Dayaska
20. Marianayagam Thiresamma