Tamils in the North yesterday commemorated those who were killed in the Kumudini boat massacre, 31 years ago. 

In memory of the victims, 700 coconut husks were distributed among those who took part in the event, in Jaffna.

The Kumudini boat massacre occurred on May  15,1985, when at least 23 men, women and children on a ferry boat named Kumudini sailing from the Delft island to the island of Nainathievu were alleged to have been killed by the Navy personnel.

According to eyewitness accounts six men believed to be from the Sri Lanka navy, dressed in T-shirts and blue longs and some in shorts, boarded the ferry boat. One by one the passengers were called to the aft section of the boat and told to shout their name, age, address and the destination of their journey. Then they were hacked to death

Responding to the allegations, the then Sri Lankan Defence Minister Lalith Athulathmudali said there was no evidence to show who was responsible.