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{{more citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Battle of Kokavil
| conflict = Battle of Kokavil
|partof=the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]]
| partof = the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]
|image=
| image =
|caption=
| caption =
|date=27 June - 11 July 1990
| date = 27 June - 11 July 1990
|place=[[Kokavil]], [[Sri Lanka]]
| place = [[Kokavil]], [[Sri Lanka]]
|casus=
| casus =
|territory=
| territory =
|result=Tamil Tiger victory
| result = Tamil Tiger victory
|combatant1=[[Image:Coat of arms of Sri Lanka.svg|18px]] [[Military of Sri Lanka]]
| combatant1 = [[File:Coat of arms of Sri Lanka.svg|18px]] [[Military of Sri Lanka]]
|combatant2=[[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]
| combatant2 = [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]
|commander1=Lieutenant [[Saliya Aladeniya]]
| commander1 = Lieutenant [[Saliya Aladeniya]]{{KIA}}
|commander2=
| commander2 =
| strength1 = 54<ref name="ST1"/><ref>[https://alt.army.lk/slsr/3slsr_2 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment]</ref>
|strength1=69<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yarl.com/forum3/index.php?s=8f04d95552a21b118f009e65c695987c&showtopic=44682&pid=449155&st=0&#entry449155|title=கிளிநொச்சியை முத்தமிடும் தூரத்தில் சிறீலங்கா படையினர்--லக்பிம|work=கருத்துக்களம்|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>
|strength2=Unknown
| strength2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = 48 killed, 18 wounded<ref name="MoD1">{{cite book |title=Humanitarian Operation Factual Analysis July 2006 – May 2009 |publisher=Ministry Of Defence Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka |url=http://slembassyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Sri-Lankan-Humanitarian-Operation-Factual-Analysis.pdf |access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>
|casualties1=69 killed
|casualties2=Unknown
| casualties2 = Unknown
}}
}}
{{Campaignbox Eelam War II}}
{{Campaignbox Eelam War II}}
{{Campaignbox Sri Lankan Civil War}}
{{Campaignbox Sri Lankan Civil War}}


The '''Battle of Kokavil''' was fought from 27 June to 11 July 1990 in [[Kokavil]], [[Sri Lanka]]. The battle was fought between the [[Sri Lankan Army]] (SLA) and the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE), with the LTTE carrying-out a 14-day siege of the military camp at Kokavil, which eventually fell to the Tigers. There were no survivors of the army detachment in Kokavil.
The '''Battle of Kokavil''' was fought from 27 June to 11 July 1990 in [[Kokavil]], [[Sri Lanka]]. The Sri Lankan military camp at Kokavil was put to siege by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for 14 days before they captured it. Of the 54 Sri Lankan Army soldiers stationed in the base at the time, only 2 and a civilian cook reached friendly lines after the battle, with all others having been presumably killed by the LTTE.


==Background==
==Background==
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 [[Maankulam (Sri Lanka)|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, [[1990 massacre of Sri Lankan Police officers|who were then massacred]].<ref name="ST1">{{cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/001001/plus4.html|title=The Sunday Times Plus Section|publisher=Sundaytimes.lk|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>
Following the resumption of hostilities after the withdrawal of the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]], the [[Eelam War II]] of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]] started in June 1990. In early June 1990, LTTE militants attacked SLA forces in the area of [[Maankulam (Sri Lanka)|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, [[1990 massacre of Sri Lankan Police officers|who were then massacred]].<ref name="ST1">{{cite web|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/001001/plus4.html|title=The Sunday Times Plus Section|publisher=Sundaytimes.lk|accessdate=6 October 2014}}</ref>


The Army has established an encampment in Kokavil to protect the [[Kokavil transmission tower|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 Upul Aladeniya|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 Force|volunteer battalion]].<ref name="ST1"/><ref>[https://alt.army.lk/slsr/3slsr_2 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment]</ref>
The Army has established an encampment in Kokavil to protect the [[Kokavil transmission tower|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. It had assigned 54 men to Kokavil while the remaining army personnel at Kokavil came from the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, [[Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment]]; [[Sri Lanka Signals Corps]]; [[Sri Lanka Army Service Corps]]; and the [[Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps]].<ref name="Munasinghe">{{cite book |last1=Sarath Munasinghe |title=A Soldier's Version |date=2000 |location=Colombo |isbn=955-97130-0-0 |pages=154–156|author1-link= Sarath Munasinghe}}</ref> With the detachment at Kokavil under the command of [[Lieutenant]] [[Saliya Upul Aladeniya|Saliya Aladeniya]]. On June 16 a ceasefire was declared so negotiations can take place. Shortly after this sixteen soldiers and an officer, from the detachment left on leave leaving one officer and 53 soldiers at the camp who were [[reservists]] from a [[Volunteer Force|volunteer battalion]].<ref name="ST1"/><ref>[https://alt.army.lk/slsr/3slsr_2 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment]</ref>


== Battle ==
== Battle ==
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.<ref name="ST1"/>
On June 27, the LTTE surrounded the camp for 14 days and began staging attacks on the camp constantly. Medicine, food and water for SLA forces were in short supply. Supplies had to be dropped by helicopters, however, because of heavy LTTE fire, the supplies had to be dropped from high above the camp, causing much of it to land off course outside the perimeter of the camp where it was lost.<ref name="ST1"/>


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&nbsp;p.m. the camp was overrun.<ref name="ST1"/>
The final attack began on July 10, when the LTTE started building up forces around the camp. Reinforcements and resupply for the soldiers at the camp were not able to arrive because all routes were blocked by LTTE forces. The SLA soldiers in the camp were left with only 300 rounds of ammunition, and only some 30 soldiers were still alive, half of whom were seriously wounded. The officer commanding the SLA detachment, Lieutenant Aladeniya, was given the order to evacuate, but refused because he did not want to leave his wounded. At 11:45&nbsp;p.m., on 11 July, the LTTE finally overran the camp.<ref name="ST1"/> Final words spoken by Lt. Aladeniya to Wanni headquarters were, {{quote|Don’t worry sir, I will fight till I die.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://trinitycollege.lk/2021/11/14/dont-worry-sir-i-will-fight-till-i-die-capt-saliya-aladeniya/ | title="Don't worry sir, I will fight till I die" – Capt. Saliya Aladeniya &#124; Trinity College Kandy - the Official Website | date=14 November 2021 }}</ref>}}


== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==
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 (land and air)|captain]] and honoured with the highest award for bravery, the [[Parama Weera Vibhushanaya]] on 21 June 1994.<ref name="ST1"/>
[[Image:Parama Weera Vibushanaya.gif|140px|thumb|Captain [[Saliya Aladeniya]] was posthumously awarded the [[Parama Weera Vibhushanaya]] on 21 June 1994.]]
52 SLA officers and soldiers were declared missing in action by the Sri Lankan Army as the SLA could not reach the location to verify their fate. Defense ministry official indicate 48 killed and 18 wounded.<ref name="MoD1"/> The LTTE destroyed the relay station and tower. Lieutenant [[Saliya Aladeniya]] was posthumously promoted to rank of [[Captain (land and air)|captain]] and honoured with the [[Parama Weera Vibhushanaya]] for bravery on 21 June 1994.<ref name="ST1"/> Corporal Siriwardena of the 3(V)SLSR and Corporal Nimal Siriwardena of the 2(V)VIR had escaped the camp and reported to the Mankulam army camp, as well as a civilian mess waiter named Dayananda, who managed to escape just as the camp was overrun, reportedly seeing nine wounded soldiers being thrown into the burning buildings by the LTTE after the LTTE set alight to the buildings after overrunning the camp.<ref name="Munasinghe"/>


Kokavil was recaptured by troops from the [[57 Division (Sri Lanka)|57 Division]] in October 2008 during the [[Battle of Kilinochchi (2008–2009)]].<ref name="adampan&kokavil">{{cite news|title=Army claims Kokavil also captured |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=2 December 2008 |accessdate=11 January 2009 |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=33925 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528015707/http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=33925 |archivedate=28 May 2009 }}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.srilankatravelnotes.com/KILINOCHCHI/KOKAVILMEMORIAL/KokavilWarMemorial.html Kokavil Tower and War Memorial]</ref>
Kokavil was recaptured by troops from the [[57 Division (Sri Lanka)|57 Division]] in October 2008 during the [[Battle of Kilinochchi (2008–2009)]].<ref name="adampan&kokavil">{{cite news|title=Army claims Kokavil also captured |work=Daily Mirror |location=UK |date=2 December 2008 |accessdate=11 January 2009 |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=33925 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528015707/http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=33925 |archivedate=28 May 2009 }}</ref> The [[Kokavil transmission tower]] was rebuilt along with a memorial for the 52 soldiers of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment who were lost in the battle.<ref>[http://www.srilankatravelnotes.com/KILINOCHCHI/KOKAVILMEMORIAL/KokavilWarMemorial.html Kokavil Tower and War Memorial]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 51: Line 53:
[[Category:1990 in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:1990 in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:July 1990 events in Asia]]
[[Category:July 1990 events in Asia]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan civil war prisoner of war massacres]]
[[Category:Indian Peace Keeping Force]]

Latest revision as of 21:36, 25 October 2024

Battle of Kokavil
Part of the Sri Lankan Civil War
Date27 June - 11 July 1990
Location
Kokavil, Sri Lanka
Result Tamil Tiger victory
Belligerents
Military of Sri Lanka Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Commanders and leaders
Lieutenant Saliya Aladeniya †
Strength
54[1][2] Unknown
Casualties and losses
48 killed, 18 wounded[3] Unknown

The Battle of Kokavil was fought from 27 June to 11 July 1990 in Kokavil, Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan military camp at Kokavil was put to siege by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for 14 days before they captured it. Of the 54 Sri Lankan Army soldiers stationed in the base at the time, only 2 and a civilian cook reached friendly lines after the battle, with all others having been presumably killed by the LTTE.

Background

[edit]

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.[1]

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. It had assigned 54 men to Kokavil while the remaining army personnel at Kokavil came from the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment; Sri Lanka Signals Corps; Sri Lanka Army Service Corps; and the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps.[4] 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 and an officer, from the detachment left on leave leaving one officer and 53 soldiers at the camp who were reservists from a volunteer battalion.[1][5]

Battle

[edit]

On June 27, the LTTE surrounded the camp for 14 days and began staging attacks on the camp constantly. Medicine, food and water for SLA forces were in short supply. Supplies had to be dropped by helicopters, however, because of heavy LTTE fire, the supplies had to be dropped from high above the camp, causing much of it to land off course outside the perimeter of the camp where it was lost.[1]

The final attack began on July 10, when the LTTE started building up forces around the camp. Reinforcements and resupply for the soldiers at the camp were not able to arrive because all routes were blocked by LTTE forces. The SLA soldiers in the camp were left with only 300 rounds of ammunition, and only some 30 soldiers were still alive, half of whom were seriously wounded. The officer commanding the SLA detachment, Lieutenant Aladeniya, was given the order to evacuate, but refused because he did not want to leave his wounded. At 11:45 p.m., on 11 July, the LTTE finally overran the camp.[1] Final words spoken by Lt. Aladeniya to Wanni headquarters were,

Don’t worry sir, I will fight till I die.[6]

Aftermath

[edit]
Captain Saliya Aladeniya was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya on 21 June 1994.

52 SLA officers and soldiers were declared missing in action by the Sri Lankan Army as the SLA could not reach the location to verify their fate. Defense ministry official indicate 48 killed and 18 wounded.[3] The LTTE destroyed the relay station and tower. Lieutenant Saliya Aladeniya was posthumously promoted to rank of captain and honoured with the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya for bravery on 21 June 1994.[1] Corporal Siriwardena of the 3(V)SLSR and Corporal Nimal Siriwardena of the 2(V)VIR had escaped the camp and reported to the Mankulam army camp, as well as a civilian mess waiter named Dayananda, who managed to escape just as the camp was overrun, reportedly seeing nine wounded soldiers being thrown into the burning buildings by the LTTE after the LTTE set alight to the buildings after overrunning the camp.[4]

Kokavil was recaptured by troops from the 57 Division in October 2008 during the Battle of Kilinochchi (2008–2009).[7] The Kokavil transmission tower was rebuilt along with a memorial for the 52 soldiers of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment who were lost in the battle.[8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "The Sunday Times Plus Section". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  2. ^ 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
  3. ^ a b Humanitarian Operation Factual Analysis July 2006 – May 2009 (PDF). Ministry Of Defence Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b Sarath Munasinghe (2000). A Soldier's Version. Colombo. pp. 154–156. ISBN 955-97130-0-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
  6. ^ ""Don't worry sir, I will fight till I die" – Capt. Saliya Aladeniya | Trinity College Kandy - the Official Website". 14 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Army claims Kokavil also captured". Daily Mirror. UK. 2 December 2008. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2009.
  8. ^ Kokavil Tower and War Memorial

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