Nilaveli is located in the Kuchchaveli Assistant Government Agent Division in Thirukonamalai (Trincomalee) district. Nilaveli is 10 Kms from the Thirukonamalai town. Following the 1983 ethnic pogrom the Nilaveli refugee camp was overflowing with people. On 16.09.1985, the Sri Lankan army and home guards armed by the military that were stationed in Nilaveli rounded up the Nilaveli refugee camp. They arrested 24 Eelamtamils at the refugee camp and shot them dead on the spot.