This article does not include military and guerrilla style attacks carried out by the LTTE, which are covered in the related article Notable attacks by the LTTE.
1984 marked the intensification of the war between the Tamil separatists and the Sri Lankan Government. The first civilian massacres by the LTTE were reported in 1984.
November 30: LTTE cadres shoot dead 33 Sinhalese civilians in Dollar Farm, Mulathivu.[4][8]
1985 marked a major escalation of hostilities. For the first time the LTTE attacked a major Sinhalese majority town killing 146 unarmed civilians. The impact of this attack was felt across the island and received world wide attention.
May 14: LTTE gunmen shoot dead 146 Sinhalese civilians and injure 85 others as they were praying at a sacred Buddhist shrine in the United Nations World Heritage City of Anuradhapura.[7][5][6]
May 14: LTTE cadres shoot dead 18 Sinhalese civilians in the Wilpattu forest reserve while they are fleeing from the massacre of 146 civilians earlier in the day.[4]
May 30: LTTE cadres shoot and kill five Sinhalese civilians in the villages of Mahandapura And Dehiwatta. People of these villages had previously received numerous threats from the LTTE associates. This massacre was part of a series of massacres aimed at displacing Sinhalese from the North East of Sri Lanka.[9]
June 11: 13 Sinhalese civilians are shot dead by LTTE gunmen in Dehiwatta, Mutur.[4]
August 02: Thrikonamadu Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres shot dead three Sinhalese Buddhist monks and three civilians, while they were worshipping at the Ruhunu Somavathiya Temple.[4]
August 14: Awarantalawa Vavuniya: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese civilians and set fire to 40 houses.[4]
August 18: Namalwatta Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead six Sinhalese villagers.[4]
November 07: Namalwatta Morawewa, Tobacco: LTTE cadres shot dead ten Sinhalese villagers.[4]
December 20: Mannar: Six Madhu pilgrims, abducted by the LTTE on 12.12.85, were executed.[4]
February 19: Sittaru Kantalai, Trincomalee: When refugees from Serunuwara, Dehiwatta were being escorted by army personnel along Ella/Kantalai road, LTTE exploded a mine: 35 civilians and four army personnel were killed.[4]
May 03: LTTE bomb explodes aboard Air Lanka flight carrying mainly French, British and Japanese tourists killing 21 (including 13 foreigners - of whom 2 British, 2 German, 3 French, 2 Japanese, 1 Maldivian and 1 Pakistani) and injuring 41 on Bandaranaike International Airport.[4][10]
May 25: Mahadivulwewa: LTTE cadres shot dead 20 Sinhalese and set fire to 20 houses.[4]
June 04: Andankulam Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 20 Sinhalese villagers including Ven. Bakamune Subaddalanakara Thero.[4]
June 11: Trincomalee Two bombs exploded by LTTE almost simultaneously in two buses in front of the Bank of Ceylon and in close proximity to the SP office along Inner Harbour Road. They were on their way to Kantalai and Colombo respectively: 22 people were killed in the explosions; 75 others were injured.[4]
June 25: Sittaru, Kantalai: Bomb exploded in a vehicle by LTTE killed 16 Sinhalese.[4]
July 08: Monkey Bridge, Vavuniya: LTTE cadres shot dead 15 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
July 13: Pavakkulam, Vavuniya: Four LTTE cadres who had come in a jeep to tract No. 16, Pavakkulam, killed eleven civilians (two Sinhalese and nine Tamils).[4]
July 17: Sugar Corp., Kantalai LTTE cadres entered block No. 4, Sugar Corp., Kantalai and ten civilians were shot to death. (Seven Sinhalese, two Muslims and one Tamil).[4]
July 19: Vadigawewa, Medirigiriya, Polonnaruwa LTTE cadres shot dead twelve Sinhalese villagers.[4]
July 22: Mammaduwa, Vavuniya: LTTE cadres exploded a land-mine on a civilian bus, killing 32 Sinhalese civilians and injuring 20 others.
July 24: Issenbessagala: a bomb exploded inside a bus proceeding from Vavuniya to Anuradhapura; killing 13 passengers and injuring 40 others.[4]
July 24: Mahanagapura, Ampara: About 50 LTTE cadres entered Damana, a Sinhalese village, and killed nine persons; another 13 were injured.[4]
February 07: Arantalawa, Ampara: LTTE cadres killed 28 villagers by slashing their necks.[4]
March 07: Awarantalawa, Vavuniya: LTTE exploded a land-mine where troops were proceeding, killing seven soldiers, four NAF soldiers and six civilians.[4]
March 22: Serunuwara Horowpathana: LTTE cadres shot dead 26 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
April 16: Habarana, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 127 Sinhalese civilians , including 31 police and security force personnel who were travelling in buses to Trincomalee.[4][11]
April 21: Jayanthipura Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 15 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
April 21: Central Bus Stand, Pettah: LTTE operatives exploded a bomb, killing 110 civilians, two policemen and a soldier; 298 others were injured.[6]
May 29: Kadawathmadu, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese villagers.[4]
June 02: A bus carrying Buddhist monks in Arantalawa was stopped by the LTTE who then killed 32 Buddhist monks (including Chief Priest Ven. Hegoda Indrasara) who were passengers of this bus. Only one monk survived this massacre. This was the first massacre of Buddhist monks in modern Sri Lankan history.[12]
June 11: Veppankulam Trincomalee Private van No. 38 Sri 496 proceeding from Horowpathana to Trincomalee was blasted by a pressure mine by LTTE, killing one soldier and 13 civilians.[4]
June 12: Godapotta, Medirigiriya Polonnaruwa: About 175 villagers had gathered to discuss a new temple. LTTE fighters surrounded the temple and attacked them, killing eight villagers and a soldier. Six persons were injured.[4]
October 06: Batticaloa: LTTE cadres shot dead 18 Sinhalese civilians.[4]
October 06: Sagarapura, Kuchchuveli Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 27 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
October 06: Thalawai Eravur: LTTE cadres shot dead 25 Sinhalese settlers.[4]
October 06: Valaichchenai Batticaloa: The night-mail train from Batticaloa was stopped by LTTE cadres and 40 Sinhalese passengers were killed.[4]
October 07: Pottuvil Monargala Road: LTTE cadres shot dead 25 Sinhalese passengers, who were traveling by bus. They also killed five motor-cyclists who came along the same route.[4]
October 10: Gantalawa Kantalai: LTTE cadres shot dead ten Sinhalese villagers.[4]
October 15: Ella, Kantalai Road, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 14 Sinhalese passengers traveling on two lorries.
October 16: Pulimodai Trincomalee: LTTE cadres stopped a private bus, took out Sinhalese persons and killed eleven of them including three policemen.[4]
October 19: Kalkudah Batticaloa: Private bus 23 - 1182 transporting Tamil passengers got caught on a LTTE land-mine, killing 40 persons and an IPKF soldier[4]
November 09: Maradana Colombo: LTTE operatives exploded a bomb in a vehicle: 23 civilians killed, 106 were injured, 15 were shot dead.
November 11: Kalkuda,Batticaloa: Seven Sinhalese persons selling fish were shot dead by the LTTE.[4]
November 12: Cheddikulam, Vavuniya: A van transporting passengers was blasted by an LTTE land-mine explosion, killing twelve Tamil persons and 13 PLOTE members.[4]
December 15: Devalagodella, Polonnaruwa: The LTTE attacked Devalagodella and Somavathiya village, killing nine villagers.[4]
December 22: Morawewa, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres abducted five Sinhalese and a Tamil, who were fishing in Morawewa Tank and subsequently killed them.[4]
December 31: Mahadivulwewa Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead ten villagers and burnt 15 houses.[4]
March 02: Morawewa, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 14 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
March 11: Suhadagama Horowpathana Anuradhapura: A group of LTTE cadres attacked a private bus, 22 Sri 2218, at Suhadagamaw with small arms and grenades, killing 19 passengers and injuring nine others.[4]
March 14: Galmitiyawa, Kantalai: LTTE cadres shot dead 13 Sinhalese villagers at Galmitiyawa.[4]
March 15: Kivulkade, Morawewa, Trincomalee: Two groups of LTTE operatives entered the village and killed seven Sinhalese villagers.[4]
March 17: Deegavapiya, Damana, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death 13 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
March 22: Pudukulam, Vavuniya: Between ten and 15 LTTE cadres attacked the Sinhalese village and killed six villagers. Another three were injured.[4]
March 22: Medavachchi-kulam Vavuniya: LTTE cadres shot dead nine Sinhalese villagers.[4]
March 29: Wewalketiya: A LTTE bomb exploded inside CTB bus 29 Sri 9037 Anuradhapura which was proceeding from Horowpathana to Medavachchiya, killing nine passengers and injuring 14 others.[4]
March 31: Saindamaradu, Kalmunai: LTTE cadres attacked the village, killing ten Muslims and seven Tamils.[4]
April 08: Horowpathana, Meegaswewa, Anuradhapura: LTTE gunmen killed 14 Sinhalese.[4]
May 01: Sittaru Kantalai, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres exploded a land-mine on a CTB bus killing twelve Sinhalese, nine Muslims and five others, who were not identified.[4]
July 28: Ethawetunawewa, Weli Oya: LTTE operatives hacked to death 16 Sinhalese villagers.[4]
August 16: Trincomalee (opposite Clock Tower): LTTE cadres exploded a bomb, killing sixe Sinhalese, two Muslims, one Tamil and a soldier; 19 persons sustained injuries.[4]
August 25: Marawila, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres killed eleven civilians by cutting their necks.[4]
September 10: 16th Colony, Central Camp Ampara: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese and four Tamils.[4]
October 09: Mahakongaskada Medavachchiya: LTTE cadres shot dead 44 Sinhalese villagers and set fire to eleven houses.[4]
November 14: Paniketiyawa, Gomarakadawela Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 28 Sinhalese, including two security force personnel.[4]
August 05, Mulliyankadu, Ampara: LTTE cadres killed 17 Muslim farmers working in a paddy-field.[4]
August 06, Ampara: LTTE cadres killed 33 Muslim farmers working in a paddy-field.[4]
August 07, Bandaraduwa, Uhana, Ampara: About 40 LTTE cadres went to a Sinhalese village and killed 30 Sinhalese and injured four.[4]
August 08, Navagamuwa, Anuradhapura: LTTE cadres attacked a Sinhalese village and killed seven civilians; four persons were injured.[4]
August 11: Division 3 & 6 Eravur LTTE cadres attacked Div. 3 & 6, Eravur, killing 116 Muslims and injuring 20 others.[4]
August 13, 15th Mile Post, Pulmoddai, Weli Oya: Twenty-five civilians who were travelling in a lorry from Negombo at Kokuvil were ambushed by LTTE cadres, who killed 14 of them.[4]
August 13, Awarantalawa Vavuniya A Muslim village adjoining a Sinhalese village was attacked by LTTE cadres; nine Muslims and one Sinhalese were killed. Three others were injured.[4]
September 13, Poonani, Batticaloa LTTE cadres hacked to death seven Muslim civilians and injured one.[4]
September 19, Vellamundal, Puttalam: LTTE cadres killed 23 Sinhalese and set fire to eleven houses at the fishing village.[4]
September 21, Pudukudiyirippu Ampara: LTTE cadres attacked the village killing 15 Muslims and injuring eleven.[4]
September 30, Peraweltalawa, Maha Oya, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death nine Sinhalese villagers.[4]
October: The LTTE expelled, within 48 hours, 80,000 Muslims living under their control in the northern districts of the island: Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, and Mannar. Each civilian was only allowed to carry 150 Sri Lankan rupees when they were expelled from LTTE areas.[14]
January 23: Bogamuyaya Maha Oya, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death 25 Sinhalese villagers and injured nine others, four subsequently succumbed to their injuries.[4]
March 2: At least 19 people, including Sri Lanka's Deputy Defence Minister, Ranjan Wijeratne killed in an LTTE car bomb explosion in Colombo. A further 73 people injured.[12]
March 24: Bogamuyaya, Akkaraipattu: Bomb explosion carried out by LTTE at Fish Market Akkaraipattu, killing nine Muslims and injuring 32 others.[4]
March 31: Irudayapuram Batticaloa: LTTE cadres shot dead eight civilians at the market in the night.[4]
April 03: Keviliya, Foul Point, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres in two boats surrounded several boats and opened fire at the fishermen. Ten dead bodies and eleven injured were found. Sixteen were missing. The missing persons were either taken away by terrorists or drowned after being shot.[4]
April 14: Ethimalai, Monaragala: LTTE cadres hacked to death 17 Sinhalese villagers and injured another.[4]
April 20: Niyadella, Okkampitiya, Moneragala: LTTE cadres attacked the village and hacked and shot to death 21 men, women and children.[4]
May 19: Erakkamam, Ampara LTTE cadres attacked five Muslims and two Sinhalese persons, whilst they were returning from the paddy-field, killing six persons and injuring one.[4]
May 21: Sriperumbudur, India: An LTTE suicide bomber kills former Indian Prime Minister and Indian Opposition Leader Rajiv Gandhi and 14 others.[15]
May 20: Malwatta, Sammanthurai, Ampara: LTTE cadres fired on a group of Muslims who were returning from the paddy-field in a tractor; nine Muslims were killed and two injured.[4]
June 12: Kokkadicholai, Batticaloa: LTTE Bomb explosion in Manmunai ferry kills ten civilians.[4]
June 24: Weligahakandiya Batticaloa: LTTE cadres abducted and killed eight Sinhalese and injured one Tamil.[4]
June 27: Lahugala, Ampara: LTTE cadres exploded two claymore mines and opened fire at the passengers of a private bus; 16 civilians were killed and eight wounded.[4]
July 06: Pudur, Jaffna: LTTE cadres cut and killed nine Muslims and moved towards the Mahaweli river bank and cut to death another eight persons, injuring four others. One of the injured succumbed to his injuries. Total killed: 16 Muslims and two Sinhalese.[4]
July 06: Karapola, Manampitiya, Polonnaruwa: Nine Sinhala fishermen were abducted by LTTE cadres and killed.[4]
August 08: Sammanthurai, Batticaloa: Six Muslims farmers killed by LTTE cadres.[4]
September 19: Palliyagodella, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres attacked a Muslim village, killing 13 Muslims and injuring six others.[4]
October 24: Iqbal Nagar: LTTE cadres who were in ambush, fired at a civilian van killing three Tamils and three Muslims.[4]
January 26: Between Arantalawa and Borapola LTTE mine explosion killed nine civilians in a bus.[4]
April 10:Ampara Town: A LTTE bomb exploded in a bus causing the death of 25 civilians and injuring 33 civilians. One policeman was also killed and two army personnel were wounded.[4]
April 10:Maharagama: A LTTE car bomb exploded, causing the death of eight civilians; one policeman and 23 civilians were injured.[4]
April 29: Alinchipothana, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres attacked the Alinchipothana village, killing 56 Muslims and injuring 15.[16]
June 02: 209th Mile Post Ampara: A group of LTTE cadres stopped a bus opened fire, killing 14 civilians, one policeman, and injuring two civilians and one policeman.[4]
July 06: Parayankaulam, Vavuniya: LTTE cadres publicly shot dead ten Tamil lorry drivers and a woman, alleging that they had passed information to the security forces.[4]
July 15: Kirankulam, Batticaloa: LTTE cadres attacked a civilian bus proceeding from Kathankudy towards Kalmunai, killing 19 Muslims and injuring seven Muslims.[4]
July 21: Parangiyamadu, Batticaloa: LTTE cadres stopped a train, ordered the passengers to get down and opened fire at the Muslim passengers: seven Muslims were killed and four Muslims were injured.[4]
August 30: Trincomalee Town: A LTTE bomb planted in a private bus at the bus-stand exploded, killing nine civilians and injuring 34 (including four soldiers, two reserve policemen).[4]
September 01: Saindamaradu, Kalmunai: A LTTE bomb fixed to a push-cycle carrying an ice-cream container, exploded at the market, killing 22 Muslims and injuring 67 others.[4]
September 10: Kiliveddi Point, Trincomalee: LTTE operatives blasted a ferry across Allai Tank and killed 22 soldiers and seven civilians, and injured one soldier and two civilians.[4]
October 01: Konwewa Weli Oya: LTTE cadres fired and threw grenades at villagers, killing 15 civilians and injuring nine others.[4]
October 15: Palliyagodella Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres attacked a Muslim village and shot and hacked to death 182 civilians (171 of them were Muslims), twelve policemen and eight soldiers; 83 others were injured.[5][4]
January 19, Rambewa, Anuradhapura: A LTTE bomb exploded in a private bus carrying civilians from Sripura to Anuradhapura, causing the death of ten Sinhalese civilians and injuring 51.[4]
March 16: Off Kudiramalai Puttalam LTTE cadres attacked about ten fishing boats, causing the death of 17 fishermen and injuring three; five fishermen were reported missing.[4]
October 24: Sri Lankan presidential candidate and opposition leader Gamini Dissanayake is killed by LTTE suicide bomber who exploded herself at a campaign rally. Over 50 other people were also killed and a further 75 were seriously hurt.[6][19]
May 25: LTTE cadres attack a fishing village in Kallarawa, and hack and shot to death 42 civilians (22 males, twelve females and eight children).[20][21][22]
August 07,Colombo: An LTTE suicide bomber explodes a suicide rickshaw killing 22 civilians.[17]
October 20, Kolonnawa, Colombo: LTTE attacked the oil storage complexes at Kolonnawa and Orugodawatta. At least three suicide bombers fought their way into the tanks and blew themselves up destroying the tanks. LTTE lost four cadres in the action while killing 22 security personals and destroying diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel and crude oil worth over US $10 million.[23]
October 21, Mangalagama: LTTE cadres kill 16 civilians.[20]
November 11, Colombo: A LTTE suicide bomber causes an explosion near the Slave Island railway station resulting in the death of 15 children and two soldiers.[17]
November 24, Colombo: An attack by two LTTE female suicide bombers on the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters results in the death of 16 people.[17]
December 11, Colombo: Two LTTE suicide bombers blow themselves up at the Army Headquarters, resulting in the deaths of 15 civilians and three soldiers.[17]
March 19: 29 Tamil civilians killed by LTTE, as they were accused of being traitors and giving information to Security Forces.[20]
June 11: Lunuoya LTTE kills 14 civilians. According to Amnesty International, this attack was reportedly led by an LTTE member whose family had been killed in communal violence, after the LTTE attacked a police post. The main target of this appears to have been the family of those thought to have been responsible for the killing of this LTTE member's family.[20]
July 04,Jaffna: An attack by an LTTE suicide bomber on a Sri Lankan minister results in the death of 20 people.[17]
July 24:Dehiwala train bombing where the LTTE exploded 4 bombs on Colombo-Alutgama train at Dehiwala killing between 60[24] and 70 civilians.[6] The technique of simultaneously exploding multiple bombs in several carriages was used during this attack.[24]
January 25: Four members of the Black Tiger squad drive an explosives-laden truck into a major Buddhist shrine, killing seven and injuring 25.[6] The Maligawa is one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines in the world, and is recognized as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.[17]
March 05: LTTE is blamed for two bomb explosions aboard buses in Colombo killing thirty-two civilians and injuring 252 others.[6]
August 29: The LTTE shoot down a AN-24Lionair Flight 602 with 55 passengers (including 48 Tamils) and crew while it was flying over LTTE held territory. Everyone onboard is killed.[26][27]
June 2: Eleven Sinhalese civilians were murdered at Inginiyagala.[28]
July 29: An LTTE suicide bomber killed Sri Lankan TamilMP Dr.Neelan Thiruchelvam along with two others. Six civilians were injured. At the time of his death Dr.Neelan Thiruchelvam was working on a constitutional package aimed at ending the decades long ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.[29]
January 5: An LTTE suicide bomber blows herself up outside the office of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka killing 13 civilians and three police officers.[33][17]
January 27: LTTE bomb a post office killing eleven and injuring 70.[35][36]
March 11: 14 civilians and six police die when four LTTE suicide bombers attempt to assassinate the defence minister. 46 others are injuredCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).
May 18: An LTTE bomber killed 23 and injured 70 at a Buddhist temple in Batticaloa during celebrations of the Vesak holiday.[37]
May 17: The LTTE detonate a bomb hidden inside an ice-cream box on a bicycle during celebrations to mark the holiest day of the Buddhist calendar, Vesak, killing over 20 people and injuring 75.[38]
June 26: LTTE suicide boats sink a chartered private ship M.V. Uhana. Five civilian crew and three navy personnel die.[17]
September 15, Colombo: A suicide bomber explodes in front of the main government hospital in Colombo resulting in seven civilian deaths. 28 civilians are injured.[17]
October 05, Medawacchchiya, Anuradhapura: An attack by an LTTE suicide bomber on the Health and Indigenous Medicine Deputy Minister Tissa Karaliyadda results in the death of seven civilians and injuries to 40 civilians.[39]
May 27: The award-winning author Nihal de Silva and seven Sri Lankan tourists were killed by a supposed LTTE land mine in Wilpattu National Park. The explosion took place near Tamil held territory in the northern part of the country. Before a 2002 cease fire agreement, rebels used the park as a hiding place. It is unclear whether the mine was planted before or after the cease fire agreement.[43]
May 30: The LTTE cadres kill twelve Sinhalese villagers working at an irrigation canal construction site in Omadiyamadu, close to the uncleared areas of Welikanda in Polonnaruwa district.[44]
June 15: The LTTE bombs a bus carrying 140 civilians in Kebithigollewa, in northeastern Sri Lanka. The blast results in the death of 68 civilians including 15 school children, and injurers 78 others. It was caused by two claymore mines placed side by side on the bus by LTTE cadres, which spraying the packed bus with millions of ball bearings upon manual detonation.[45]
September 18: LTTE cadres massacre ten innocent Muslims at Pothuwil in the Eastern province. The sole survivor of the attack confirms it was carried out by LTTE cadres.[46]
October 16: In the deadliest suicide attack in Sri Lanka to date, a suicide bomber in a truck kills 103 Sri Lanka Navy sailors on buses going or returning from leave at a transit point and wounds over 150 other sailors. Several civilians may also have died.[47]
December 1: An LTTE suicide bomber triggers the explosives packed into a vehicle in Colombo as a five car convoy carrying Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse passes by, in an attempt to assassination him. Secretary Rajapakse escapes unharmed, although two people are killed and 14 others are wounded, mostly civilians who were passing by the site.[48]
January 05, Nittambuwa: The LTTE are the only suspects in bomb blast on a city bus carrying more than 80 civilians. The resulting explosion kills six civilians and wounds 63, ten of them seriously. The bus was bombed during the evening rush-hour near Nittambuwa town, 40 km (25 miles) north-east of Colombo.[49][50] It followed a threat issued by the LTTE that they will carry out revenge attacks for air raids by the Sri Lanka Air Force.[51][52][53]
January 06,Peraliya: A suspected LTTE suicide bomber detonates herself inside a Colombo – Matara passenger bus. 16 civilians are killed and more than 50 are injured.[54][55] These attacks on buses appear to be a fulfillment of threats made by the LTTE.[56][57]
February 07,Batticaloa: Rev. Selliah Parameswaran Kurukkal, the head Priest of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil and a father of three, who blessed President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the President's visit to Vakarai four days previously, is forcibly dragged out of his residence and shot dead by gunmen from the LTTE.[58][59][60][61] The gunmen had mentioned that they were from the LTTE and they needed to question the Poosari in connection with the garlanding of the President.[62][63] It is also suggested he had been targeted because he had co-operated with the security forces in order to help civilians flee the fighting around Vakarai.[64]
March 9, Puttlam: Eight people who entered the Wilpatu National Park to investigate the grievances of the local population over wild elephant attacks, including the Sri Lanka Army Area Commander, the head Park Warden and three park rangers, are ambushed and massacred by the LTTE.[65]
March 29,Tamil Nadu, India: LTTE cadres kill five Indian fisherman off the coast of Tamil Nadu and kidnap twelve others. An anonymous caller initially attempts to blame the incidents on the Sri Lanka Navy.[66]
April 1, Eravur, Batticaloa: LTTE cadres massacre six aid workers who were constructing a housing scheme named "Village of Hope" for Tamil children orphaned by the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Another three aid workers suffer serious gunshot injuries following the shooting at close range which took place at 8.15 pm local time.[67][68][69][70]
April 2, Ampara: The LTTE bomb a civilian bus in eastern Sri Lanka, killing at least 16 civilians, and wounding 25 others. Among the dead are eleven women, three men and two boys.[71][72][73]Video of the blast scene
April 5, Polonnaruwa: In the third attack on civilians in a week, LTTE cadres shoot dead four Sinhalese farmers.[74]
April 7, Piramanalankulam, Vavunia: In the second such incident in five days, the LTTE bomb a civilian bus traveling along the Vavuniya - Mannar main road at 7:30 am, killing eight and wounding a further 26 people.[75][76]Video of the blast scene
April 12, Avarantalawa, Vavuniya: Suspected LTTE terrorists raid a village at around 4:45 pm (local time) and shoot dead seven people, of six women and one man, on the eve of the traditional New Year.[77][78]
April 23, Vavunia: A bomb set off by LTTE cadres rips through a civilian bus traveling near the town of Vavuniya killing five passengers and wounding 35.[79][80]
May 27, Thirukkovil: Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels set off a road side bomb blast blew up a truck, killing the three civilians.[85][86][87][88]
May 28, Rathmalana: In the evening rush hour suspected Tamil Tigers detonated a bomb targeting a truck carrying Sri Lanka PoliceSpecial Task Force (STF) personnel at Belk Kade junction, in Rathmalana killing seven civilians and injureding more than 39 people, including seven STF personal. Amongst dead were one pregnant mother. [89][90][91][92]
August 20, Vavuniya: Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in a jeep opened fire on the police checkpoint in Vavuniya district, killing four home guards including three female guards and one civilian.[95][96][97]
[[:Category:Terrorist attacks attributed to the LTTE| ]]
[[:Category:Terrorist incidents]]
[[:Category:Civilian massacres in Sri Lanka]]
Assassinations, murders and massacres of civilians in Sri Lanka have become an internationally recognized problem since the inception of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 1983. The war is estimated to have claimed the lives of more than 68,000 people since 1983[1] of which 2,000 civilians[2] were killed since January 2006. These killings have been attributed to various actors including the government of Sri Lanka, government aligned para-military groups and the main rebel group LTTE. Following is a list of assassinations and murders attributed to the LTTE.
LTTE is a rebel group proscribed as a terrorist organization in many countries. It is fighting for independence for the minority Tamil people in Sri Lanka. It is one of the many Tamil militant groups that has used extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of political and other real or perceived enemies. [1]
It has been accused of many extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions some of which have been met with denial or no response from the LTTE. Sri Lanka also harbours many armed para-military groups such as the Karuna group and other political–military organisations such as PLOTE and EPDP most aligned with the government that also indulge in extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of perceived opponents. [2]
Further the fine line between categories of politicians, rival militants, informants and paramilitary operatives is constantly crossed as most anti-LTTE , Tamil militant groups functioned at these various capacities during their existence. [3]
Following is a list of prominent minoritySri Lankan Tamils as well as others, whose assassinations and murders have been attributed the LTTE by various self admissions, NGO’s, UN agencies, foreign governments and by the state owned media of Sri Lanka.[4]
[[:Category:Sri Lankan people|*]]
[[:Category:Sri Lankan murder victims|*]]
[[:Category:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]
[[:Category:Sri Lankan Tamil politics]]
[[:Category:Politics of Sri Lanka]]
[[:Category:Assassinations|Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]]