Kayts
Kayts (Tamil: ஊர்காவற்துறை, romanized: Ūrkāvaṟtuṟai, Sinhala: කයිට්ස්, romanized: kayiṭs), is one of the important small island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in northern Sri Lanka. There are a number of other villages within the Kayts Island such as Allaippiddi, Mankumpan, Velanai, Saravanai, Puliyankoodal, Suruvil, Naranthanai, Karampon and Melinchimunai.
Kayts
ஊர்காவற்துறை කයිට්ස් | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Kayts Kayts | |
| Coordinates: 9°40′0″N 79°52′0″E | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Province | Northern |
| District | Jaffna |
| DS Division | Islands North |
Most of the people are Tamils. There are a number of Hindu temples as well as churches and a mosque. The island is also served by a dozen schools.
Since 1983 Kayts Island has also been the scene of violence as part of the Sri Lankan Civil War, including the Allaipiddy massacre. On 8 August 1992, Major General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Commodore Mohan Jayamaha were killed along with several senior army and navy officers when their Land Rover hit a land mine off Araly Point in Kayts.