Personal data
Name
Kowrinayaki Sasikaran
Date of birth
1974
Age
34
Place of birth
Kilinochchi
Biographical details
Kowrinayaki Sasikaran was 34 years old when she was murdered. In this air raid she died with her two children, Kajeevan Sasikaran, 4 years old, and Thamilventhan Sasikaran (only a few months old).
Indcident
Date
22.02.2008
Location
Kiranchi, Kilinochchi
Description
On the 22nd February 2008 the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed the village of Kiranchi near Poonahar in Kilinochchi. 8 civilians, including Kowrinayaki Sasikaran, Kajeevan and Thamilventhan Sasikaran, who were distributed in 3 houses, were killed in this air attack. Another 12 people were rushed to hospital with serious injuries. One woman died from the injuries.
The Sri Lankan Army frequently used air strikes to target Tamil areas. Numerous Tamils were killed and their homes and properties destroyed in this way. The air strikes terrified the citizens, so that self-constructed bunkers near their own houses had to serve as hiding places and places of refuge.
Legal situation (investigation/criminal proceedings)
So far, neither the Sri Lankan state nor the soldiers involved have been held accountable for the immense human rights violations. To date there have been no independent, international studies. Instead, senior officers were promoted to higher posts.