348:
638:, Amarasena Rajapakse, "The assassination occurred due to the negligence of domestic staff and mid-level security personnel." Rajapakse states that Veerakumar often flew in helicopters with advance presidential parties, including security men, in the company of Mohideen, but the valet carefully concealed him from Premadasa in such instances. Investigators believe Mohideen even helped Veerakumar pass a security check when he carried out the actual assassination. It is unknown if Mohideen had prior knowledge of the attack, considering that even he perished in it.
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320:. In addition to the 17 casualties, an estimated 60 more were injured in the explosion. Confusion prevailed as it was unclear what had happened, with Premadasa and his security detail missing. His death was only confirmed several hours later by his personal physician when his ring and watch were identified on body parts found in the morgue.
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The site of the explosion was cleaned within hours before a proper investigation was conducted. The May Day parade continued even after the explosion for some time as it was unclear what had happened. An island-wide curfew was imposed hours after the assassination. Twenty three people, including
701:
Ronnie
Gunasinghe, and nineteen others including most of Premadasa's personal staff. Another estimated 38-60 people were injured in the bombing including seven who were seriously wounded. Confusion prevailed as it was unclear what had happened, with Premadasa and his security detail missing. His
649:
Rajapakse said that he had been warned in early March 1993 of an attempt to poison
Premadasa, and advised Premadasa as well as his domestic and security staff. "I asked them the places where vegetables were purchased. We wanted the purchases to be made at random from different places. This was
693:, and walked towards the President when security personnel attempted to stop him. By the time of the rally, Mohideen fully trusted Veerakumar, and told security to let him through. After Veerakumar got within 2.4–3.0 m (8–10 ft) of the president, he detonated an
641:
Veerakumar moved to
Colombo in April 1992 and began operating a grocery shop. He also ran a trucking service that operated between Colombo and Jaffna. There were reportedly instances in which Mohideen allowed his trucks to pass without having to stop at
650:
because of fears of poisoning... Our request for the domestic staff was if they knew anyone in particular getting close to them to let us know,' Rajapakse said. "But the answer, particularly by late Mr. Mohideen, was that there was nothing."
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in the south, both key issues
Premadasa concentrated on, with particularly ruthless actions against the insurgents. His security forces brutally put down the revolt and killed many of its leaders.
301:. The suicide bomber was later identified as Kulaveerasingam Veerakumar (alias 'Babu'), a close friend of the President's valet, E. M. P. Mohideen. Veerakumar was working under direction from the
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327:
became acting president, and was officially sworn in on 7 May 1993. The government did not announce the death of
President Premadasa until 6 PM local time when state-owned television network
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and sworn in as the new president of Sri Lanka on 7 May 1993. The government did not announce the death of
President Premadasa until 6 PM local time when state-owned television network
1080:
771:
Amongst Sri
Lankans, Premadasa has left behind a mixed legacy. While he was seen as a spokesperson of the poor, common man, his handling of the country's two civil conflicts, the
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members of the president's domestic staff, were taken into custody in connection with the assassination. Security sources said those arrested included a sergeant from the police
872:, refers to a Sri Lankan president being killed by a suicide bomber. While the film never names Premadasa, he is the only Sri Lankan president to be assassinated in this manner.
323:
The site of the explosion was cleaned within hours before a proper investigation was conducted. An island-wide curfew was imposed hours after the assassination. Prime
Minister
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626:, who had spent years prior becoming acquainted with many people close to Premadasa. Specifically, Veerakumar exploited the president's valet, E.M.P Mohideen's fondness of
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death was only confirmed several hours later by his personal physician when his ring and watch were identified on body parts found in the morgue.
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at
Premadasa's request, was later established to have been performed with the same weapons he had supplied them. While the IPKF was recalled by
906:
came to light in the report published by the Sri Lankan
Presidential Commission to inquire into the 1992 assassination of Lieutenant General
779:, have been heavily criticised. While May Day is still celebrated in Sri Lanka, it is also a day of mourning for the death of the President.
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militant organization that was based in northeastern Sri Lanka. The LTTE fought to create an independent Tamil state, which they called
75:
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552:, the LTTE increasingly came to resemble that of a conventional fighting force with a well-developed military wing that included a
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402:, won 125 seats, forming a government with a majority in parliament. At the time he became president, the country faced both a
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742:'s report of the incident. A period of national mourning was announced until the funeral, which took place on 9 May 1993 at
335:'s report of the incident. A period of national mourning was announced until the funeral, which took place on 9 May 1993 at
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and a sergeant from the now disbanded Presidential Security Division, both of whom Veerakumar had entertained with liquor.
433:. Premadasa's arming of the LTTE has since been acknowledged by his party, and many acknowledge that this may have set the
618:
Kulaveerasingam Veerakumar, who commonly went under the alias 'Babu', was a 23-year old male from the coastal village of
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856:. The film was in the post-production stage when Premadasa was assassinated, and the film was released on 30 July 1993.
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On May Day 1993, the LTTE employed Kulaveerasingam 'Babu' Veerakumar to target and assassinate President Premadasa.
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stands at the location of the bomb blast, at the junction of Armour Street and Grandpass Road in Hulftsdorp.
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to pull its troops out of Sri Lanka. In order to force the IPKF to leave the island, Premadasa supplied
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In September 1991, Premadasa faced an impeachment attempt in parliament led by former prime minister
394:. Soon after being elected president, he dissolved parliament and called for fresh elections. In the
755:
signed a condolence book at the Sri Lankan High Commission to pay his respects to slain Premadasa.
521:, in the north-east of the island where the majority of Tamils resided. They cited the continuous
293:, Colombo. President Premadasa was unofficially supervising the procession as it was heading from
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1081:"Arming LTTE against Indian Army was most unfavorable and dangerous: Maj. Gen Gunaratne"
787:, which was built under Premadasa's supervision in 1986, still remains named after him.
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In the years during and since the civil war, many nations have recognized the LTTE as a
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907:
476:, both of whom were also eventually assassinated by the LTTE. Premadasa was accused of
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based on the assassination of Ranasinghe Premadasa after a request by film producer
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544:, the LTTE was involved in armed clashes against the Sri Lankan government and its
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421:(IPKF). The Indian presence on the island was unpopular, and Premadasa requested
352:
853:
814:, went on to become a politician in his own right. Sajith ran for president in
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413:
His handling of the country's civil war was less successful. In the north, the
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189:
178:
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The Former President Sri Lankabhimanya Ranasinghe Premadasa Memorial Monument
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that he had strapped to his body, killing himself, the President, Mohideen,
441:, which occurred after the policemen were asked to surrender to the LTTE in
939:"Assassin of Sri Lankan president used liquor, women to penetrate security"
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450:
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The Sri Lankabhimanya Ranasinghe Premadasa Memorial in Colombo, Sri Lanka
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Attacks on civilians attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
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as a weapon, a tactic now used by many current militant organizations.
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666:. Politicians in Sri Lanka very often use this day to gain favor with
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based in northeastern Sri Lanka which fought for an independent Tamil
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278:. The rally was organised by Premadasa's ruling political party, the
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142:
468:, and backed by two formidable rivals from his own political party,
24:
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579:. Nations that have designated the LTTE as a terrorist group are:
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on 1 May 1993. Premadasa, along with 23 others, were killed in an
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1064:"Fmr Minister acknowledges Premadasa govt. gave weapons to LTTE"
453:. By 1991, the LTTE retaliated against the Indian government by
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in 1990, the government's war with the LTTE resumed, beginning
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The explosion took place at around 12:45 PM at the
1098:"King, PM send condolences, Minister to attend funeral"
1030:"Ranasinghe Premadasa: The Rise and Fall of President"
959:"FACTBOX: Sri Lankan leaders, long a target of rebels"
924:
492:. The impeachment proceedings were later dismissed by
239:
Kulaveerasingam 'Babu' Veerakumar under orders of the
1115:
Ramanujam, Srinivasa; Menon, Vishal (21 July 2018).
513:The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were a
502:
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
568:. The LTTE popularised and perfected the use of a
797:is a statue depicting Premadasa, which stands in
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818:, winning 41.99% of the vote. He is the current
658:On 1 May 1993, Premadasa's political party, the
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784:The R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium
630:, to gain his confidence. According to former
431:Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front
374:Ranasinghe Premadasa (born 1924) was the 3rd
730:became acting president, and was officially
685:At around 12:45 PM, Veerakumar rode a
439:1990 massacre of Sri Lankan Police officers
979:"SUICIDE BOMBER KILLS LEADER OF SRI LANKA"
826:political party, a breakaway party of the
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1117:"KT Kunjumon and 25 years of 'Gentleman'"
662:, organised an event in commemoration of
190:explosives strapped to perpetrator's body
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
953:
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437:back severely in fighting the war. The
289:of Armour Street and Grandpass Road in
274:rally held in the country's capital of
58:"Assassination of Ranasinghe Premadasa"
16:1993 murder of 3rd Sri Lankan president
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429:to the LTTE to fight the IPKF-backed
390:, Premadasa was elected president in
378:. After serving as the country's 8th
126:Assassination of Ranasinghe Premadasa
1028:Wijayadasa, K.H.J. (28 April 2012).
188:0.91 kg (2 lb) of plastic
47:adding citations to reliable sources
18:
13:
893:of President Ranasinghe Premadasa.
224:Most of President's personal staff
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636:Criminal Investigation Department
529:against Sri Lankan Tamils by the
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509:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
503:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
415:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
303:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
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1047:"Handing Over Arms To The LTTE"
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848:was rewritten by the director
548:. Initially starting out as a
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1013:"SRI LANKA: A NATION DIVIDED"
996:"The Premadasa Assassination"
994:Hoole, Rajan (21 June 2014).
917:
795:Ranasinghe Premadasa Memorial
499:due to a lack of signatures.
417:(LTTE) faced off against the
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1045:Hoole, Rajan (23 May 2015).
810:Ranasinghe Premadasa's son,
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7:
1166:Assassinations in Sri Lanka
1011:Moore, Molly (9 May 1993).
1002:. Retrieved on May 1, 2023.
830:which his father once led.
490:subverting the Constitution
396:1989 parliamentary election
10:
1187:
1087:. Retrieved on 1 May 2023.
1019:. Retrieved on 1 May 2023.
985:. Retrieved on 1 May 2023.
977:Moore, Molly (2 May 1993).
965:. Retrieved on 2 May 2023.
945:. Retrieved on 1 May 2023.
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1036:. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
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820:Leader of the Opposition
750:Malaysian Prime Minister
738:broadcast a tape of the
632:deputy inspector general
388:Colombo Central district
331:broadcast a tape of the
1070:. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
1053:. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
728:Dingiri Banda Wijetunga
674:. The rally started at
614:Veerakumar and Mohideen
540:Founded in May 1976 by
339:in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
1085:The New Indian Express
824:Samagi Jana Balawegaya
768:
689:up to the president's
678:and was set to end at
577:terrorist organization
542:Velupillai Prabhakaran
457:Indian Prime Minister
376:president of Sri Lanka
360:
351:Premadasa (left) with
253:President of Sri Lanka
199:23 including Premadasa
1079:(12 September 2016).
828:United National Party
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660:United National Party
535:Sri Lankan Government
470:Lalith Athulathmudali
466:Sirimavo Bandaranaike
350:
310:militant organization
280:United National Party
1161:Sri Lankan Civil War
870:Sri Lankan Civil War
777:Sri Lankan Civil War
408:communist insurgency
370:Ranasinghe Premadasa
357:Neranjan Wijeyeratne
249:Ranasinghe Premadasa
215:Ranasinghe Premadasa
167:Ranasinghe Premadasa
43:improve this article
1017:The Washington Post
983:The Washington Post
861:Hindi-language film
841:Tamil-language film
744:Independence Square
706:Immediate aftermath
676:Sugathadasa Stadium
527:violent persecution
406:in the north and a
337:Independence Square
295:Sugathadasa Stadium
1034:Sri Lanka Guardian
908:Denzil Kobbekaduwa
834:In popular culture
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721:Special Task Force
474:Gamini Dissanayake
361:
355:and his caretaker
1156:1993 in Sri Lanka
1102:New Straits Times
1051:Colombo Telegraph
1000:Colombo Telegraph
822:representing the
793:Sri Lankabhimanya
562:intelligence wing
537:as their motive.
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812:Sajith Premadasa
773:JVP insurrection
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680:Galle Face Green
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54:Find sources:
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32:This article
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1132:. Retrieved
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943:UPI Archives
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746:in Colombo.
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672:labor unions
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570:suicide vest
546:armed forces
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512:
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459:Rajiv Gandhi
451:Eelam War II
412:
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257:assassinated
247:
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41:Please help
36:verification
33:
865:Madras Cafe
801:, Colombo.
691:Range Rover
644:checkpoints
519:Tamil Eelam
318:Tamil Eelam
229:Perpetrator
174:Attack type
152:1 May 1993
1150:Categories
1068:Ada Derana
918:References
850:S. Shankar
799:Hulftsdorp
736:Rupavahini
533:dominated
482:favoritism
478:corruption
443:Batticaloa
435:government
343:Background
329:Rupavahini
314:ethnostate
291:Hulftsdorp
251:, the 3rd
154:12:45 PM (
69:newspapers
1129:0971-751X
1121:The Hindu
904:collusion
845:Gentleman
717:Sinhalese
711:eighteen
634:with the
620:Gurunagar
597:Sri Lanka
531:Sinhalese
447:New Delhi
404:civil war
382:, and an
364:Premadasa
316:known as
270:during a
261:explosion
143:Sri Lanka
775:and the
715:and two
668:laborers
593:Malaysia
564:, and a
486:nepotism
287:junction
135:Location
99:May 2023
1134:15 June
963:Reuters
732:elected
687:bicycle
664:May Day
276:Colombo
272:May Day
212:Victims
204:Injured
139:Colombo
83:scholar
1127:
759:Legacy
713:Tamils
628:liquor
624:Jaffna
603:, and
585:Canada
255:, was
196:Deaths
185:Weapon
163:Target
85:
78:
71:
64:
56:
902:This
891:valet
877:Notes
589:India
560:, an
556:, an
515:Tamil
423:India
386:from
307:Tamil
207:38-60
90:JSTOR
76:books
1136:2020
1125:ISSN
889:The
816:2019
791:The
670:and
554:navy
525:and
472:and
427:arms
392:1988
305:, a
265:LTTE
156:SLST
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62:news
740:BBC
699:SSP
622:in
400:UNP
333:BBC
220:SSP
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