400 heroic police officers remembered

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

A ceremony was held yesterday at the Ranaviru commemorative tower at the Police Field Force Headquarters, Bambalapitiya to commemorate 400 police officers who laid down their lives two decades ago defending the nation in the Eastern province.

The police flag was raised half mast and two minutes silence was observed to mark the event around 8.30 am.

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Roshan Gunatilleke was the chief guest on the occasion. Acting IGP, N.K. Illangakoon was also present.

Several senior police officers and a large number of police officers from other ranks also participated, Police Media Spokesman, SP Prishantha Jayakody told the Sunday Observer.

The massacre took place on June 11, 1990 when 600 unarmed police officers from Akkaraipattu, Kalmunai, Pottuvil, Valachchenai, Batticaloa, Eravur, Kalkudah, Vellaveli and Kalawanchikudy surrendered were led in to the thick jungles of a Thirukkovil in Amapara by LTTE terrorists and shot dead.