Assassination of Sri Lankan Prime Minister
September 25th, 1959
September 25th, 1959
How Long Ago?
65 years, 7 months, 4 days ago
Location
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Category
Politics & Government
People
- Solomon Bandaranaike
- Talduwe Somarama
Links & References
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Assassination of Sri Lankan Prime Minister
Solomon Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, was attacked and mortally wounded by a Buddhist monk, Talduwe Somarama, during a public event. This shocking act was the result of rising tensions between differing religious groups in the country. Bandaranaike, who had implemented a series of policies favoring Buddhism, was a polarizing figure. After the attack, he suffered for a day before succumbing to his injuries.
Bandaranaike promoted policies favoring Buddhism.
Talduwe Somarama was the assailant, a Buddhist monk.
The incident increased ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka.
Bandaranaike's death led to political instability.
What Happened?
Solomon Bandaranaike served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1956 until his assassination in 1959. His administration was marked by significant policy shifts that favored the Buddhist majority in the country, which included the promotion of Sinhala language and culture. While these policies were popular among many Sinhalese, they exacerbated ethnic tensions, particularly with the Tamil minority, leading to increased polarization within the island nation. On September 25, 1959, during a public event in Colombo, Bandaranaike was attacked by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk. Somarama had been allegedly incited by political adversaries who viewed the Prime Minister's policies as insufficiently supportive of traditional Buddhism. After being shot, Bandaranaike was rushed to the hospital but sadly passed away the following day due to his injuries. This act shocked the nation and raised questions about the stability of Sri Lanka’s political landscape.
Why Does it Matter?
The assassination of Solomon Bandaranaike had profound effects on Sri Lanka’s political climate and the tensions between its ethnic groups. Following his death, Sri Lanka entered a turbulent period characterized by political instability and ethnic strife. His policies had already polarized sections of the populace, and his death intensified the divisions. The aftermath of his assassination witnessed the rise of more radical elements within both the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, ultimately contributing to the prolonged civil conflict that would afflict the nation for decades.
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