Historical Events tagged with "jaffna"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

S. Sivamaharajah Assassinated at Home

August 20th, 2006 18 years ago

S. Sivamaharajah, a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician and former Member of Parliament, was shot dead at his residence in Tellippalai. The assailants targeted him in a violent act that shocked the local community and raised tensions amid the ongoing civil conflict in Sri Lanka. Following the incident, there was widespread condemnation and speculation regarding the motives behind the assassination, as Sivamaharajah was known for his vocal stance on the rights of the Tamil minority in the country.

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Military & Warfare

Heavy Fighting Claims Tamil Rebel Lives in Jaffna

May 22nd, 2000 24 years ago

Over the course of two days, intense clashes erupted in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of more than 150 Tamil rebel fighters. The fighting was primarily fueled by ongoing control disputes between the Tamil Tigers and government forces, as they sought dominance in this critical region of northern Sri Lanka. The conflict highlighted the escalating violence in the civil war and underscored the tragic consequences faced by combatants and civilians alike amid the struggle for territorial control.

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Military & Warfare

Conquest of Jaffna by Sri Lankan Forces

December 5th, 1995 29 years ago

In December 1995, the Sri Lankan government proclaimed success in capturing Jaffna, a significant Tamil stronghold in northern Sri Lanka. This military operation, known as Operation Riviresa, was part of a broader effort to regain control over areas heavily influenced by the Tamil Tigers. The acquisition of Jaffna was a strategic victory for the Sri Lankan military amidst ongoing tensions during the protracted civil conflict that spanned several decades.

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Military & Warfare

Civilian Casualties in Jaffna Lagoon Incident

February 1st, 1993 32 years ago

The Sri Lanka Navy allegedly killed between 35 to 100 civilians in the Jaffna Lagoon. The incident occurred amidst heavy conflict between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The lagoon, crucial for local fishing communities, became a dangerous area due to military operations. Eyewitnesses reported that Navy personnel opened fire on fishing boats, causing significant loss of life and prompting national and international outrage.

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Military & Warfare

Massacre at Jaffna Hospital by Indian Forces

October 21st, 1987 37 years ago

Indian peacekeeping forces conducted an operation in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of 70 Tamil patients, doctors, and nurses. The incident allegedly occurred during a military operation aimed at curbing Tamil militant activity in the region. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaotic and tragic aftermath, as many victims were unarmed civilians receiving medical care. The brutality of the incident raised significant concerns about the conduct of peacekeeping forces and their impact on local populations amidst the ongoing conflict.

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Military & Warfare

Beginning of the Black July Anti-Tamil Riots

July 24th, 1983 41 years ago

The Black July riots erupted in Sri Lanka as a violent response to the killing of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers in an ambush by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Jaffna. Leading to widespread anti-Tamil violence across the island, the riots saw Sinhala mobs attack Tamil homes and businesses, resulting in deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of Tamils. The death toll estimates range from 400 to 3,000 individuals, marking a significant escalation in ethnic tensions as the civil conflict intensified.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Alfred Duraiappah

July 27th, 1975 49 years ago

Alfred Duraiappah, the Mayor of Jaffna and former Member of Parliament, was shot dead in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The assassination occurred amid rising ethnic tensions and political instability in the region. Duraiappah was a prominent figure in the Tamil community and his death sent shockwaves through local and national political circles.

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