Manal Aru was of immense importance due to its central location in the Tamil-majority north and east of Sri Lanka.
However, realising its strategic importance and in a bid to quell the rising threat of Tamil separatism, an attempt was made by the state to colonize the area with Sinhalese people.
[5][2] In June 1984, the Vavuniya police led by Herath raided the farms and the Indian Tamil families were assaulted and taken to the hill country.
In meetings following the evictions, National Security Minister Lalith Athulathmudali claimed that the forced relocation was for their own protection, to prevent them from being forcibly recruited by the "terrorists", although the families were content there and did not want to leave.
[2] In the two days immediately after the massacre, Tamil civilians in the surrounding areas were subjected to killings, arrests and disappearances by the Sri Lankan security forces.
[10] In response to the massacres of Sinhalese, S. L. Gunasekara and Davinda Senanayake issued a report that recommended the increased militarization of the colonies.
The government implemented the recommendation by increasing army presence in Weli Oya, but the LTTE continued attacking the settlements.