Historical Events tagged with "sri lanka"

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

Assassination of Nadarajah Raviraj in Colombo

November 10th, 2006 18 years ago

Nadarajah Raviraj, a prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politician, was assassinated in Colombo. His shooting happened in the capital's Nugegoda area while he was driving. Raviraj served as a Member of Parliament and was an outspoken critic of the government's policies regarding the Tamil population amid the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War. His assassination marked a significant moment in the escalated tensions and violence directed at Tamil political figures.

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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

Chencholai Airstrike Kills Sixty-one Schoolgirls

August 14th, 2006 18 years ago

A Sri Lankan Air Force airstrike targeted a school in Chencholai, resulting in the tragic deaths of sixty-one schoolgirls aged between 6 and 16. The strike occurred amidst the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War and was reportedly intended to target the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Confusion and chaos erupted in the community as families mourned the loss of their children, calling for accountability and justice following the attack.

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Politics & Government

Massacre of ACF Employees in Sri Lanka

August 4th, 2006 18 years ago

Seventeen employees of the French NGO Action Against Hunger were killed by Sri Lankan government forces in the Vaharai region. These individuals were engaged in humanitarian efforts during the ongoing conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The incident raised significant concerns regarding the safety of NGO workers and the impact of the civil conflict on humanitarian operations.

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Natural Disasters

Massive Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami

December 26th, 2004 20 years ago

A powerful Indian Ocean earthquake struck near northern Sumatra, registering a magnitude between 9.1 and 9.3 Mw. Following the quake, one of the largest tsunamis in recorded history impacted several countries, including Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The disaster was marked by a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), devastating coastal communities and causing significant loss of life. Estimates suggest nearly 228,000 people perished as a result of the quake and the subsequent tsunamis.

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Military & Warfare

Bandaranaike Airport Attack by Tamil Tigers

July 24th, 2001 23 years ago

A coordinated attack on Bandaranaike International Airport involved 14 Tamil Tiger commandos, resulting in the destruction of 11 aircraft and damage to 15 others. The assault led to the deaths of seven Sri Lankan Air Force soldiers, three civilians, and an engineer. In response, all 14 commandos were killed during the operation, significantly impacting the Sri Lankan economy and airport security.

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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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Politics & Government

Assassination of Tamil MP S. Shanmuganathan

July 15th, 1998 26 years ago

S. Shanmuganathan, a Sri Lankan Tamil Member of Parliament, was killed by a claymore mine in an attack attributed to military forces during the Sri Lankan Civil War. The incident occurred while he was traveling in a vehicle, showcasing the ongoing violence and political instability faced by the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. Shanmuganathan was a prominent figure, advocating for Tamil rights in a tumultuous political environment strained by the prolonged civil conflict.

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Military & Warfare

LTTE Suicide Attack on Temple of the Tooth

January 25th, 1998 27 years ago

A suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam targeted the famous Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Sri Lanka, resulting in the deaths of eight people and injuring 25 others. This attack occurred during a period of intense conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, who sought independence for the Tamil population in the north and east of the country. The Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a significant Buddhist temple housing a relic of the tooth of the Buddha, making it a potent symbol of Sinhalese identity.

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