Shri Lanka orphanage under attack by LTTE terrorists

Sri Lanka News

On 17th August at 19.30 the LTTE launched an audacious attack on the Revatha orphanage in Trincomalee by firing at the army sentry post. Fifteen mortars were fired of which eight had exploded.

The Revatha orphanage is situated at the 5th mile post, in Gemunupura on the Kandy Road is near China Bay in the Trincomalee area. The Army personnel who were on duty and who received serious injuries were rushed to hospital.

The orphanage which is run by Ven. Kanumuldeniya Pannatissa Thero has 45 children. The children come from the probation and child care units through the courts of Shri Lanka- All these children are wards of the court.

Due to a shortage of Government run orphanages in the area this orphanage was set up to accommodate these destitute children. The orphanage which has Spartan living conditions is sustained largely on donations by individuals, small charity organizations and the government allowance of Rs20.00 per child per day. The staff of the orphanage ensure that the children are well looked after and cared for with what ever limited resources they have.

Speaking to Ven. Kanmuldeniya Pannatissa thero after the mortar attack on the orphanage he said he had an intuitive feeling that Revatha Children Home faced an imminent threat by the LTTE terrorists. In the past too this orphanage has faced numerous threats by the LTTE. Commenting on the attack he said that around 15 mortars had fallen in the vicinity. Fortunately only 8 had exploded. He added that the glass windows of one building had been shattered with glass everywhere.

The Ven.Thero said that these children had already endured trauma and tragedy in their lives which had resulted in them being brought to the orphanage. These attacks exacerbated their condition.

On Monday the Sri Lankan armed forces bombed a so called, LTTE child soldier camp. This attack by the LTTE on a defenseless group of innocent destitute civilian children has been labeled as a tit for tat action by the terrorists.