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The following is a list of attacks attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), commonly known as the Tamil Tigers.[1][2][3] The LTTE is a separatist militant group that has been fighting for a separate Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka since 1976, and it has carried out numerous attacks against civilian, military, political, and religious targets. It has been banned as a terrorist organization by over 32 countries, including the United States, Canada, India and the 27 member nations of the European Union.
[edit] Deadliest attacks
| Attack |
Date |
Location |
Death toll |
Sources |
| 2006 Digampathana truck bombing |
October 16, 2006 |
Digampathana, North Central Province |
92 - 103 |
|
| Kebithigollewa massacre |
June 15, 2006 |
Kebithigollewa, Northern Province |
66 |
|
| Gonagala massacre |
September 18, 1999 |
Gonagala, Eastern Province |
54 |
|
| Dehiwala train bombing |
July 24, 1996 |
Dehiwala, Western Province |
64 |
|
| Central Bank bombing |
January 31, 1996 |
Colombo, Western Province |
91 |
[4] |
| October 1995 Eastern Sri Lanka massacres |
October 16, 1995 |
Villages in eastern Sri Lanka |
120 |
|
| Kallarawa massacre |
May 25, 1995 |
Kallarawa, Eastern Province |
42 |
|
| Palliyagodella massacre |
October 15, 1991 |
Palliyagodella, Eastern Province |
109 |
[5][6] |
| Kattankudi mosque massacre |
August 4, 1990 |
Kattankudy, Eastern Province |
147 |
[7] |
| Aranthalawa Massacre |
July 02, 1987 |
Aranthalawa, North Central Province |
35 |
|
| Anuradhapura massacre |
May 14, 1985 |
Anuradhapura, North Central Province |
146 |
[6][4] |
| Kent and Dollar Farm massacres |
November 30, 1984 |
Kent and Dollar Farm, Mullaitivu |
62 |
|
The following incomplete list is constantly being updated. Revisions and sourced additions are welcome.
- July 23: 13 soldiers are killed in an LTTE ambush in Jaffna, sparking anti-Tamil riots that cause approximately 600 deaths.[8][9]
1984 marked the intensification of the war between the Tamil separatists and the Sri Lankan government, as well as the first reports of civilian massacres by the LTTE.
- Further information: Kent and Dollar Farm massacres
- December 01: LTTE cadres kill eleven Sinhalese civilians in the fishing village of Kokilai.[5]
- Further information: Kokilai massacre
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 Anuradhapura.[8]
- Further information: Anuradhapura massacre
- 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.[11]
- June 11: 13 Sinhalese civilians are shot dead by LTTE gunmen in Dehiwatta, Mutur.[5]
- August 02: Thrikonamadu Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres shot dead three Sinhalese Buddhist monks and three civilians, while they were worshipping at the Ruhunu Somavathiya Temple.[5]
- August 14: Awarantalawa Vavuniya: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese civilians and set fire to 40 houses.[5]
- August 18: Namalwatta Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead six Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- November 07: Namalwatta Morawewa, Tobacco: LTTE cadres shot dead ten Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- December 20: Mannar: Six Madhu pilgrims, abducted by the LTTE on 12.12.85, were executed.[5]
- 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.[5]
- 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.[5][12]
- Further information: Air Lanka Flight UL512
- May 25: Mahadivulwewa: LTTE cadres shot dead 20 Sinhalese and set fire to 20 houses.[5]
- June 04: Andankulam Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 20 Sinhalese villagers including Ven. Bakamune Subaddalanakara Thero.[5]
- 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.[5]
- June 25: Sittaru, Kantalai: Bomb exploded in a vehicle by LTTE killed 16 Sinhalese.[5]
- 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).[5]
- 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).[5]
- 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.[5]
- July 24: Mahanagapura, Ampara: About 50 LTTE cadres entered Damana, a Sinhalese village, and killed nine persons; another 13 were injured.[5]
- February 07: Arantalawa, Ampara: LTTE cadres killed 28 villagers by slashing their necks.[5]
- March 07: Awarantalawa, Vavuniya: LTTE exploded a land-mine where troops were proceeding, killing seven soldiers, four NAF soldiers and six civilians.[5]
- March 22: Serunuwara Horowpathana: LTTE cadres shot dead 26 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[5][13]
- April 21: Central Bus Stand, Pettah: LTTE operatives exploded a bomb, killing 113 civilians, two policemen and a soldier; 298 others were injured.[4]
- Further information: Central Bus Station Bombing
- April 21: Jayanthipura Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 15 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- May 29: Kadawathmadu, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[14]
- Further information: Aranthalawa Massacre
- 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.[5]
- 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.[5]
- October 06: Batticaloa: LTTE cadres shot dead 18 Sinhalese civilians.[5]
- October 06: Sagarapura, Kuchchuveli Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 27 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- October 06: Thalawai Eravur: LTTE cadres shot dead 25 Sinhalese settlers.[5]
- October 06: Valaichchenai Batticaloa: The night-mail train from Batticaloa was stopped by LTTE cadres and 40 Sinhalese passengers were killed.[5]
- 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.[5]
- October 10: Gantalawa Kantalai: LTTE cadres shot dead ten Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[5]
- October 19: Kalkudah Batticaloa: Private bus 23 - 1182 transporting Tamil passengers got caught on an LTTE land-mine, killing 40 persons and an IPKF soldier[5]
- 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.[5]
- November 12: Cheddikulam, Vavuniya: A van transporting passengers was blasted by an LTTE land-mine explosion, killing twelve Tamil persons and 13 PLOTE members.[5]
- December 15: Devalagodella, Polonnaruwa: The LTTE attacked Devalagodella and Somavathiya village, killing nine villagers.[5]
- December 22: Morawewa, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres abducted five Sinhalese and a Tamil, who were fishing in Morawewa Tank and subsequently killed them.[5]
- December 31: Mahadivulwewa Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead ten villagers and burnt 15 houses.[5]
- March 02: Morawewa, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 14 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[5]
- March 14: Galmitiyawa, Kantalai: LTTE cadres shot dead 13 Sinhalese villagers at Galmitiyawa.[5]
- March 15: Kivulkade, Morawewa, Trincomalee: Two groups of LTTE operatives entered the village and killed seven Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- March 17: Deegavapiya, Damana, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death 13 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- March 22: Pudukulam, Vavuniya: Between ten and 15 LTTE cadres attacked the Sinhalese village and killed six villagers. Another three were injured.[5]
- March 22: Medavachchi-kulam Vavuniya: LTTE cadres shot dead nine Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[5]
- March 31: Saindamaradu, Kalmunai: LTTE cadres attacked the village, killing ten Muslims and seven Tamils.[5]
- April 08: Horowpathana, Meegaswewa, Anuradhapura: LTTE gunmen killed 14 Sinhalese.[5]
- 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.[5]
- July 28: Ethawetunawewa, Weli Oya: LTTE operatives hacked to death 16 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[5]
- August 25: Marawila, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres killed eleven civilians by cutting their necks.[5]
- September 10: 16th Colony, Central Camp Ampara: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese and four Tamils.[5]
- October 09: Mahakongaskada Medavachchiya: LTTE cadres shot dead 44 Sinhalese villagers and set fire to eleven houses.[5]
- November 14: Paniketiyawa, Gomarakadawela Trincomalee: LTTE cadres shot dead 28 Sinhalese, including two security force personnel.[5]
- February 02: Bogamuyaya, Maha Oya, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death eleven Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- February 11: Dutuwewa, Horowpathana: LTTE cadres shot dead 34 Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- February 22: Tract No. 13, Sinhapura, Weli Oya: LTTE cadres attacked Tract No. 13 and six Sinhalese were killed and another seven were injured.[5]
- See also: Massacre of police officers in Eastern Sri Lanka in June 1990
- June 10: Over 400 unarmed police officers are shot dead by the LTTE in Police Stations across eastern Sri Lanka.[16]
- Further information: Massacre of police officers in Eastern Sri Lanka in June 1990
- June 15: 11 soldiers are killed in Kalmunai by the LTTE and their bodies are desecrated.[17]
- July 23, Veeracholai, Batticaloa: LTTE cadres killed eight persons, thought to be Muslims and hanged them on trees.[5]
- July 24, Damminna, Aralaganvila Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres hacked to death eight Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- July 25, Wan Ela, Trincomalee: LTTE cadres hacked to death nine Sinhalese villagers who were cutting firewood.[5]
- July 26, Thammannaelawaka Medavachchiya: LTTE cadres hacked and shot to death 19 Sinhalese and set fire to 30 houses.[5]
- July 30, Akkaraipattu Batticaloa: LTTE cadres shot dead 14 Muslims in the town.[5]
- July 31, Podankadu, Peraru, Kantalai: Ten Tamil civilians were killed by unidentified gunmen.[5]
- August 04: Over 30 Tamil Tiger cadres attacked four Muslim mosques in Kattankudy in Batticaloa district, killing over 147 Muslims who were praying in the mosques.[18]
- Further information: Kattankudi mosque massacre
- August 05, Mulliyankadu, Ampara: LTTE cadres killed 17 Muslim farmers working in a paddy-field.[5]
- August 06, Ampara: LTTE cadres killed 33 Muslim farmers working in a paddy-field.[5]
- August 07, Bandaraduwa, Uhana, Ampara: About 40 LTTE cadres went to a Sinhalese village and killed 30 Sinhalese and injured four.[5]
- August 08, Navagamuwa, Anuradhapura: LTTE cadres attacked a Sinhalese village and killed seven civilians; four persons were injured.[5]
- August 11: Division 3 & 6 Eravur LTTE cadres attacked Div. 3 & 6, Eravur, killing 116 Muslims and injuring 20 others.[5]
- 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.[5]
- 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.[5]
- September 13, Poonani, Batticaloa LTTE cadres hacked to death seven Muslim civilians and injured one.[5]
- September 19, Vellamundal, Puttalam: LTTE cadres killed 23 Sinhalese and set fire to eleven houses at the fishing village.[5]
- September 21, Pudukudiyirippu Ampara: LTTE cadres attacked the village killing 15 Muslims and injuring eleven.[5]
- September 30, Peraweltalawa, Maha Oya, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death nine Sinhalese villagers.[5]
- 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.[18]
- Further information: Expulsion of Muslims from Jaffna
- October 02, Vahalkada, Ampara: LTTE cadres shot dead seven Sinhalese.[5]
- October 23, Thanthirimalai, Anuradhapura: LTTE cadres killed eight Sinhalese and two home guards.[5]
- November 01, Halambawewa, Sinhapura, Weli Oya: LTTE cadres attacked the village and killed ten Sinhalese.[5]
- January 23: Bogamuyaya Maha Oya, Ampara: LTTE cadres hacked to death 25 Sinhalese villagers and injured nine others, four subsequently succumbed to their injuries.[5]
- 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.[14]
- March 24: Bogamuyaya, Akkaraipattu: Bomb explosion carried out by LTTE at Fish Market Akkaraipattu, killing nine Muslims and injuring 32 others.[5]
- March 31: Irudayapuram Batticaloa: LTTE cadres shot dead eight civilians at the market in the night.[5]
- 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 or drowned after being shot.[5]
- April 14: Ethimalai, Monaragala: LTTE cadres hacked to death 17 Sinhalese villagers and injured another.[5]
- April 20: Niyadella, Okkampitiya, Moneragala: LTTE cadres attacked the village and hacked and shot to death 21 men, women and children.[5]
- 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.[5]
- May 21, 1991: LTTE suicide bomber Thenmuli Rajaratnam assassinated former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi while the latter was campaigning for a parliamentary candidate in Tamil Nadu, also killing an additional 13 civilians.[4] Following the assassination, seven suspected LTTE activists committed suicide after being surrounded by police.[19] In June 2006, the LTTE issued a formal apology for this action. However, the Indian government quickly responded saying forgiving Tamil Tigers for the 1991 killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi would amount to endorsing their ideology of terror.[20]
- May 21: Sriperumbudur,
 India: An LTTE suicide bomber kills former Indian Prime Minister and Indian Opposition Leader Rajiv Gandhi and 14 others.[21]
- 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.[5]
- June:Colombo: 12 killed and 85 civilians injured after a suicide bombing outside the Joint Operations Command (JOC) building on Flower Road, Colombo 7.[22]
- June 24: Weligahakandiya Batticaloa: LTTE cadres abducted and killed eight Sinhalese and injured one Tamil.[5]
- 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.[5]
- July 1991:The army's Elephant Pass base, which controls access to the Jaffna peninsula, is surrounded by 5,000 LTTE cadres. More than two thousand died on both sides in the month-long siege, before 10,000 government troops arrived to relieve the base.[23]
- 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.[5]
- July 06: Karapola, Manampitiya, Polonnaruwa: Nine Sinhala fishermen were abducted by LTTE cadres and killed.[5]
- August 08: Sammanthurai, Batticaloa: Six Muslims farmers killed by LTTE cadres.[5]
- October 24: Iqbal Nagar: LTTE cadres who were in ambush, fired at a civilian van killing three Tamils and three Muslims.[5]
- January 26: Between Arantalawa and Borapola LTTE mine explosion killed nine civilians in a bus.[5]
- 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.[5]
- April 10: Maharagama: A LTTE car bomb exploded, causing the death of eight civilians; one policeman and 23 civilians were injured.[5]
- April 29, 1992: LTTE cadres kill 69 Muslim civilians including 5 infants. Reprisal attacks by Muslim civilians and homeguards results in the death of 49 Tamil men.[24]
- April 29: Alinchipothana, Polonnaruwa: LTTE cadres attacked the Alinchipothana village, killing 56 Muslims and injuring 15.[25]
- 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.[5]
- 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.[5]
- July 15: Kirankulam, Batticaloa: LTTE cadres attacked a civilian bus proceeding from Kathankudy towards Kalmunai, killing 19 Muslims and injuring seven Muslims.[5]
- 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.[5]
- 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).[5]
- 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.[5]
- 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.[5]
- October 01: Konwewa Weli Oya: LTTE cadres fired and threw grenades at villagers, killing 15 civilians and injuring nine others.[5]
- 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.[6][5]
- Further information: Palliyagodella massacre
- July 25: Janakapura: The LTTE raids a Sinhalese village and kills nine civilians by means of stabbing, shooting and blowing up with grenades.[27]
- November 10, 1993: Eight officers and 233 soldiers were declared Killed in Action in LTTE's attack on the Pooneryn defences. The LTTE also executed 200 soldiers captured during this attack on the Pooneryn army camp.[15]
- 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.[5]
- 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.[5]
- October 24: Sri Lankan presidential candidate and opposition leader Gamini Dissanayake is killed by an LTTE suicide bomber who explodes herself at a campaign rally in Colombo. At least 50 others were killed in the blast and a further 75 were seriously hurt.[8][28][29]
- 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).[31][32][33]
- Further information: Kallarawa massacre
- 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.[26]
- December 11, Colombo: Two LTTE suicide bombers blow themselves up at the Army Headquarters, resulting in the deaths of 15 civilians and three soldiers.[26]
- December 23, The LTTE attacked an army detachment in Batticaloa district, killing 32 troops. Military sources reported that more than 60 rebels were killed.[35]
- March 19: 29 Tamil civilians killed by LTTE, as they were accused of being traitors and giving information to Security Forces.[31]
- 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.[31]
- July 04, Jaffna: An attack by an LTTE suicide bomber on a Sri Lankan minister results in the death of 25 people.[26][36]
- July 18, 1996: The LTTE overruns the Sri Lanka Army camp at Mullaitivu. The number of killed in action and missing in action Sri Lankan soldiers from this attack was over 1200.[37] The LTTE appear to have burnt alive hundreds of Sri Lankan soldiers who had surrendered during the attack on the Mullaitivu army camp.[38]
- July 24: Dehiwala train bombing where the LTTE exploded 4 bombs on Colombo-Alutgama train at Dehiwala killing between 60[39] and 70 civilians.[4] The technique of simultaneously exploding multiple bombs in several carriages was used during this attack.[39]
- January 9, 1997: The LTTE conduct a two pronged assault north of Paranthan and south-west of Elephant Pass. This attack was the biggest LTTE attack in the Elephant Pass area since the abortive attempt to destroy the Elephant Pass army base in July 1991 and the biggest Tiger strike since the battle of Mullaitivu the year before. According to the military 142 soldiers were killed and 294 wounded. The SLA sources also said that more than 500 rebels were killed, but according to LTTE source 140 were killed. A later count would confirm 223 soldiers and 350 guerrillas dead.[40][41]
- March 6, 1997: Tamil Tiger rebels overran the army base at Vavunativu and left more than 200 dead.[41]
- August 2, 1997-August 3, 1997: In weekend fighting 200 Tamil Tigers and 67 government troops were killed. The rebel bodies were severely disfigured.[41]
- October 7, 1997: The LTTE overrun a military arms depo on the Mankulam-Ottisuddan road killing 30 soldiers and wounding 47, 72 Tigers are also killed in the fighting.[42]
- October 15: An LTTE bomb exploded at the Colombo World Trade Centre, killing 13 and injuring hundreds.[6][43]
- January 25, 1998: Four likely members of the Black Tiger squad drove an explosives-laden truck into the Sri Dalada Maligawa (or "Temple of the Tooth"), a major Buddhist shrine, killing seven and injuring 25. The attack took place just days before foreign dignitaries were expected to attend celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of Sri Lankan independence at the temple.[4]
- March 05: LTTE is blamed for two bomb explosions aboard buses in Colombo killing thirty-two civilians and injuring 252 others.[4]
- May 14, 1998: A member of the Black Tiger squad jumped in front of a vehicle carrying Sri Lankan Brigadier Larry Wijeratne and detonated explosives, killing the general and two guards. Wijeratne was the commander of Sri Lankan forces in the Point Pedro area of the Jaffna peninsula in the Tamil-inhabited north of the country. Press reports described the assassination as a "serious blow" to the government's efforts in the area.
- August 29: The LTTE shoot down a AN-24 Lionair Flight 602 with 55 passengers (including 48 Tamils) and crew while it was flying over LTTE held territory. Everyone onboard is killed.[44][45]
- June 2: Eleven Sinhalese civilians were murdered at Inginiyagala.[47]
- Further information: Gonagala massacre
- November 1, 1999: An LTTE attack on an army camp at Odusuddan results in an SLA defeat with 800 soldiers killed or missing and another 1,200 deserted.[46]
- December 18: A LTTE suicide bomber kills 23 civilians in attempt to kill Sri Lankan president Kumaratunga at a pre-election rally.[4][52]
- 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.[52][26]
- March 11: 14 civilians and six police die when four LTTE suicide bombers attempt to assassinate the defence minister. 46 others are injuredCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
- May 18: An LTTE bomber killed 23 and injured 70 at a Buddhist temple in Batticaloa during celebrations of the Vesak holiday.[57]
- 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.[58]
- June 26: LTTE suicide boats sink a chartered private ship M.V. Uhana. Five civilian crew and three navy personnel die.[26]
- September 15: An anti-rebel website claimed that in Colombo a suicide bomber explodes in front of the main government hospital in Colombo resulting in seven civilian deaths. 28 civilians are injured.[26]
- October 05: An anti-rebel website claimed that in 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.[59]
- August 12, 2005: Lakshman Kadirgamar, the foreign minister of Sri Lanka and an ethnic Tamil was shot by an unidentified sniper (no formal evidence to link LTTE to the murder)[61] in Colombo as he was getting out of the swimming pool at his private residence. The EU holds the LTTE responsible for this murder and bans its members from traveling to the EU.[62]
- January 7, 2006: A suspected LTTE fishing boat loaded with explosives detonates and destroys a Sri Lankan navy boat as it leaves the port of Trincomalee, killing 13 sailors.[63]
- March 01: Five civilians die in suspected LTTE mine explosion.[64]
- April 23: The LTTE kill six Sinhalese civilians including two 15 year old children in the village of Gomarankadawala in the Trincomalee district.[65]
- Further information: Gomarankadawala massacre
- April 25, 2006: A suicide bomber, believed to belong to the LTTE, attempts to kill Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, seriously injuring him while killing eight others and injuring thirty more. The explosives were disguised as the late stages of pregnancy, and the bomber was originally believed to be pregnant, although subsequent medical tests have been inconclusive.[66]
- May 11, 2006: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Sea Tigers attacks and sink one Sri Lanka Navy vessel while seriously damaging another. The attack is ruled as a grave violation of the Cease Fire Agreement by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. In response, LTTE threathened the truce monitors not to be aboard naval vessels.[67] 18 sailors perish on the Sri Lankan patrolboat, and an unknown number of Sea Tiger cadres also die in the attack.[68] The fact that the lives of two Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission monitors on board these ships were endangered by this attack, triggered the European Union decision to ban the LTTE.[69]
- 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.[70]
- May 29, 2006: Thirteen farm workers were cut and shot in a village around Welikanda in Plonnaruwa. The government suspected the LTTE were responsible, while the LTTE responded that they had no involvement and that they were falsely implicated. Furthermore, the LTTE condemned this attack. [71][72]
- May 30: An anti-rebel website claimed that 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.[73]
- 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.[74]
- Further information: Kebithigollewa massacre
- June 26, 2006: The third highest ranking Sri Lankan military officer, Major General Parami Kulatunga was wounded in an attack by LTTE and died after being taken to the hospital. Two other military escorts and a passerby were also killed.[75]
- 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.[77]
- Further information: Pottuvil massacre
- 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.[79]
- Further information: 2006 Digampathana truck bombing
- 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 assassinate him. Secretary Rajapakse escapes unharmed, although two people are killed and 14 others are wounded, mostly civilians who were passing by the site.[80]
- 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.[81][82] It followed a threat issued by the LTTE that they will carry out revenge attacks for air raids by the Sri Lanka Air Force.[83][84][85]
- Further information: 2007 Sri Lankan bus bombs
- 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.[86][87] These attacks on buses appear to be a fulfillment of threats made by the LTTE.[83][88]
- Further information: 2007 Sri Lankan bus bombs
- 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.[89][90][91][92] 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.[93][94] 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.[95]
- March 9, Puttlam: Eight people who entered the Wilpattu 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.[96]
- March 26, 2007: The LTTE mount their first air strike, bombing a government-controlled military airbase. The attack leaves three killed and 19 wounded.[97]
- 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.[98]
- 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.[99][100][101][102]
- April 5, Polonnaruwa: In the third attack on civilians in a week, LTTE cadres shoot dead four Sinhalese farmers.[106]
- 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.[107][108] Video of the blast scene
- April 12, Avarantalawa, Vavuniya: Suspected LTTE raid a village at around 4:45 pm (local time)
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