Ranasinghe Premadasa served as the President of Sri Lanka from 1989 until his assassination in 1993. His leadership was marked by attempts to quell the ongoing civil strife stemming from the conflict between the Sinhalese majority government and the Tamil minority seeking autonomy. On May Day, Premadasa participated in a public rally in Colombo, a significant political event celebrating labor rights and social justice. During the rally, a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam approached him and detonated explosives, instantly killing the President along with many others in proximity.

The assassination was a pivotal moment in the Sri Lankan Civil War, marking the LTTE's ability to carry out high-profile attacks against government leaders. LTTE, known for its militant tactics in pursuit of an independent Tamil Eelam, had increasingly escalated their campaign against the Sri Lankan state. This attack exemplified their commitment and operational capability, underscoring the duration and volatility of the ethnic conflict in the country.

In the wake of Premadasa's death, political instability intensified, and the government faced increased pressure to address the underlying ethnic tensions. Premadasa's policies and attempts toward peace negotiations were left unfulfilled, leading to a continuation of violence and suffering in the region. The ensuing political vacuum resulted in further confrontations and a reevaluation of Sri Lanka's internal security and political strategies, which would shape the following years of conflict.