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.

Military & Warfare

Colombo Car Bombing by Tamil Tigers

April 21st, 1987 37 years ago

A devastating car bomb exploded in Colombo, resulting in the deaths of 106 individuals. The bomb, attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), targeted a busy area in the Sri Lankan capital, causing extensive damage and chaos. This incident was part of the escalating conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, who fought for an independent Tamil state. The blast not only resulted in significant loss of life but also further intensified the civil strife that had already torn the country apart.

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Crime & Law

Bombing of Air Lanka Flight 512 in Colombo

May 3rd, 1986 38 years ago

A bombing on Air Lanka Flight 512 occurred at Colombo airport, resulting in the deaths of twenty-one individuals and injuring forty-one others. The explosive device detonated during a terrorist attack attributed to the Tamil Tigers, a militant organization engaged in a protracted civil conflict in Sri Lanka. This targeted act aimed to disrupt civilian air travel, highlighting the ensuing violence and turmoil caused by ethnic tensions in the region. The event raised concerns globally regarding security measures at airports and amidst air travel amidst such conflicts.

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Military & Warfare

Sri Lankan Army Massacres Tamil Farm Workers

February 19th, 1986 39 years ago

In Akkaraipattu, eastern Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Army killed 80 Tamil farm workers. The incident stemmed from the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil population, exacerbated by military actions against perceived Tamil militancy. This brutal act highlighted the tensions and violence faced by the Tamil community during this period.

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Politics & Government

Formation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

December 8th, 1985 39 years ago

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in December 1985 during a summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This organization aimed to promote regional integration, economic and cultural cooperation among South Asian nations. The founding members included Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives, highlighting the need for enhanced collaboration in a region often marked by conflict. The summit officially launched SAARC with a vision to foster peace and prosperity in South Asia.

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Politics & Government

M. Alalasundaram and V. Dharmalingam Shot Dead

September 2nd, 1985 39 years ago

M. Alalasundaram and V. Dharmalingam, prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politicians, were assassinated in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They were known for their active roles in advocating for Tamil rights during the escalating conflict in the region. Their murders were part of an ongoing violence that marked the early years of the Sri Lankan Civil War, reflecting the deep-seated tensions between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority. This incident triggered further unrest and drew attention to the volatile political climate.

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Military & Warfare

Civilians Killed in Mannar by Sri Lankan Army

December 4th, 1984 40 years ago

In Mannar, Sri Lankan Army soldiers were implicated in the deaths of 107 to 150 civilians amidst ongoing conflict. The incident contributed to international scrutiny and criticism of the Sri Lankan government's military tactics against the Tamil population during the Sri Lankan Civil War, which had been intensifying since the early 1980s due to ethnic tensions and separatist aspirations.

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Crime & Law

Massacre of Tamil Political Prisoners

July 27th, 1983 41 years ago

Eighteen Tamil political prisoners were killed by Sinhalese prisoners at the Welikada high-security prison in Colombo. This massacre was part of a violent crackdown during a period of ethnic tension in Sri Lanka, which was exacerbated by the ongoing civil conflict. The attack occurred just two days after an earlier massacre, highlighting the deep-seated animosity and the climate of fear within the prison system. The event underscored the precarious situation for Tamils in the country amid escalating violence.

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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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Military & Warfare

Thirteen Sri Lanka Army Soldiers Killed in Ambush

July 23rd, 1983 41 years ago

A deadly ambush executed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam resulted in the deaths of thirteen Sri Lankan Army soldiers. The ambush took place in the northeastern region of Sri Lanka, highlighting the intense conflict between government forces and Tamil militants seeking to establish an independent Tamil Eelam. This incident marked a significant escalation in hostilities during a turbulent period in Sri Lanka's civil war, with the Tamil Tigers employing guerrilla tactics and ambushes to challenge the army's capabilities.

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