On 5 June 1985, an air force helicopter flew over Thiriyai, the surviving northernmost Tamil village in Trincomalee District, firing at residents (Amarivayal and Thennamaravady villages had been uprooted seven months earlier).
The Vaiya Paadal, a 17th century Tamil historical text, refers to the Iyer Cupatittu who ruled Tiriyai, an Aanasingam who administered Kattukulampattu, a Maamukan who ruled Verukal and Thampalakamam, and a Mayilan who ruled over Kottiyaaram in the 1400s.
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Thiriyai is home to the Neelan Panikkan Malai and Neelan Pannikan Kulam, the hill and tank named after the famous Neela Panikkan, a brave Tamil Vanniar Chief of the Vanni.
Thiriyai |