The war officially ended on May 18, 2009, following the death of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran in the Nandikadal lagoon area during the final military operation carried out by Sri Lankan security forces.
The roots of the conflict trace back to 1975 with the assassination of former Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappah, regarded as one of the first major attacks linked to the LTTE’s separatist campaign.
Over the years, the LTTE carried out several deadly attacks targeting civilians, religious sites, and key economic centers, including the Central Bank and Katunayake International Airport. Sacred sites such as the Sri Maha Bodhi and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic were also attacked during the conflict.
The humanitarian crisis intensified with incidents such as the closure of the Mavil Aru sluice gate in the Eastern Province, prompting large-scale military operations by Sri Lankan armed forces.
Meanwhile, the “National Victory Day Commemoration” to mark the 17th anniversary of the war victory is scheduled to be held tomorrow in Battaramulla under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Ranaviru Seva Authority stated that relatives of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Northern and Eastern provinces will also participate in this year’s commemoration ceremony for the first time.
