Nadarajah Raviraj was a significant Tamil politician in Sri Lanka who advocated for the rights of the Tamil population during a turbulent period in the country. He was an elected Member of Parliament representing the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which sought greater autonomy for Tamil areas in the north and east of Sri Lanka amidst the civil strife that plagued the nation for over two decades. Raviraj's political career was characterized by his strong opposition to the Sinhalese-dominated government and his commitment to peace negotiations. His stance made him a target for extremist elements, both within and outside the Tamil community.

On the day of his assassination, Raviraj was driving with a companion when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on his vehicle in Nugegoda, a suburb of Colombo. The shooting was executed in broad daylight and resulted in his immediate death, while his driver was also injured. The assassination sent shockwaves through the Tamil community and the wider political landscape, leading to widespread condemnation from multiple factions, including local and international human rights groups.

Raviraj's killing illustrated the perilous environment for politicians in Sri Lanka, particularly those who were Tamil and opposed to the prevailing government. With a history of violence and political assassinations, his death underscored the dangerous intersection of politics and ethnic conflict in the country. It further strained Tamil-Sinhala relations and raised concerns about the future of democracy in Sri Lanka amidst the ongoing civil conflict.