List of attacks on civilians attributed to Sri Lankan government forces
The following is a list of attacks on civilians attributed to armed groups under the control of the Sri Lankan government - Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and paramilitary groups. This list does not contain assassinations which are listed in a separate article.
The Sri Lankan Armed Forces which is almost exclusively made up of Sinhalese ethnicity has engaged in several counts of violence against Tamils including numerous instances of civilian massacres, ethnic cleansing, pogroms, forced disappearances, sexual violence, destruction of property and assassination of Tamil civil leaders.
In opposition to this list, there is also the List of attacks attributed to the LTTE.
Attacks in chronological order
Attack | Date | Location | District | Province | Death toll | Perpetrators | Refs |
Suppression of the JVP insurrection | Nationwide | Government | |||||
Tamil conference incident | Jaffna | Jaffna | Northern | Police | |||
Puttalam massacre | Puttalam | Puttalam | North Western | - | Police | ||
Communal pogrom | -July 1983 | Nationwide | Army | ||||
Thirunelveli massacre | Thirunelveli | Jaffna | Northern | Army | |||
Sampalthoddam massacre | Sampalthoddam | Vavuniya | Northern | - | Army | ||
Chunnakam Police station massacre | Chunnakam | Jaffna | Northern | - | Police | ||
Chunnakam market massacre | Chunnakam | Jaffna | Northern | Air Force | |||
Mathawachchi – Rampawa | Mathawachchi | Vavuniya | Northern | Army | |||
Point Pedro massacre | Point Pedro | Jaffna | Northern | Police | |||
Othiyamalai massacre | Othiyamalai | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
Cheddikulam massacre | Cheddikulam | Vavuniya | Northern | Army | |||
Kumulamunai massacre | Kumulamunai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Thennamarawadi massacre | Thennamarawadi | Trincomalee | Eastern | Army | |||
Manal Aru massacre | Manal Aru | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army | ||
Amaravayal massacre | Amarivayal | Trincomalee | Eastern | - | Army | ||
Mannar massacre | Murunkan | Mannar | Northern | - | Army | ||
Kokkilai massacres | Several locations | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mulliyavalai massacre | Mulliyavalai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Vadakkandal massacre | Vadakkandal | Mannar | Northern | Air Force, Army | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu massacre | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Trincomalee massacres | Several places | Trincomalee | Eastern | + | Navy, Army, Home Guards | ||
1985 Valvettithurai massacre | Valvettithurai | Jaffna | Northern | - | Army | ||
Kumudini boat massacre | Sea | Jaffna | Northern | Navy | |||
Thambattai massacre | Thambattai | Ampara | Eastern | Police | |||
Killiveddy massacre | Killiveddy | Trincomalee | Eastern | Police | |||
Vavuniya massacre | Vavuniya | Vavuniya | Northern | + | Army | ||
Muttur massacre | Muttur | Trincomalee | Eastern | - | Army, Navy, Air Force | ||
Kantalai massacre | Kantalai | Trincomalee | Eastern | Army | |||
Akkaraipattu massacre | Akkaraipattu | Ampara | Eastern | Army | |||
Gurunagar fishermen sea massacre | Mandaitivu | Jaffna | Northern | Navy | |||
Suppression of the JVP insurrection | Nationwide | Tens of thousands | Government | ||||
Prawn farm massacre / Kokkadichcholai massacre | Kokkadichcholai | Batticaloa | Eastern | Police | |||
Tissamaharama massacre | Tissamaharama | Hambantota | Southern | Sri Lankan Armed Forces | |||
Eppawala massacre | Eppawala | Anuradhapura | North Central | Black Cats | |||
1989 Kandy massacre | Several places | Kandy | Central | + | Eagles of the Central Hills | ||
Nittambuwa massacre | Nittambuwa | Gampaha | Western | Police | |||
Sammanthurai massacre | Sammanthurai | Ampara | Eastern | Home Guards | |||
Kalmunai massacre | Kalmunai | Ampara | Eastern | - | Army | ||
Thiriyai massacre | Thiriyai | Trincomalee | Eastern | - | Army | ||
Thuranilavani massacre | Thuranilavani | Batticaloa | Eastern | + | Army | ||
Veeramunai massacre | - 15 August 1990 | Veeramunai | Ampara | Eastern | Home Guards | ||
Paranthan junction massacre | -15 August 1990 | Paranthan | Kilinochchi | Northern | Army | ||
Siththandy massacre | - 15 August 1990 | Siththandy | Batticaloa | Northern | Army | ||
Poththuvil massacre | Poththuvil | Ampara | Northern | Army | |||
Koraveli massacre | Koraveli | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Natipiddymunai masscre | Natipiddymunai | Ampara | Eastern | Police STF | |||
Neliiyadi marketing bombing | Neliiyadi | Jaffna | Northern | Army | |||
Oddusuddan bombing | Oddusuddan | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Eastern University massacre / Vantharamulai campus massacre | Batticaloa | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Batticaloa massacre / Sathurukondan massacre | Batticaloa | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Chavakachcheri market massacre | Chavakachcheri | Jaffna | Northern | Army | |||
Kondaichchi massacre | Kondaichchi | Mannar | Northern | Army | |||
Eravur massacre | Eravur | Batticaloa | Eastern | Home Guards | |||
Iruthayapuram massacre | Iruthayapuram | Batticaloa | Eastern | Police | |||
Nayanmar Thidal massacre | Nayanmar Thidal, Tampalakamam | Trincomalee | Eastern | ||||
Kokkadichcholai massacre | Kokkadichcholai | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Polonnaruwa massacre | Muthugal and Karapola | Polonnaruwa | North Central | Home Guards, Police | |||
Mylanthanai massacre | Mylanthanai | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Paliyadvaddai massacre | Paliyadvaddai | Batticaloa | Eastern | - | |||
Jaffna lagoon massacre / Kilaly massacre | Jaffna Lagoon | Jaffna | Northern | - | Navy | ||
Vannathi Aru massacre | Vannathi Aru | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Kalviankadu massacre | Kalviankadu | Jaffna | Northern | Air Force | |||
Jaffna lagoon massacre | Jaffna Lagoon | Jaffna | Northern | Navy | |||
Gurunagar church bombing | Gurunagar | Jaffna | Northern | Air Force | |||
Chundikulam massacre | Chundikulam | Kilinochchi | Northern | Navy | |||
Pulmoddai massacre | Pulmoddai | Trincomalee | Eastern | Army | |||
Navaly church bombing | Navaly | Jaffna | Northern | Air Force | |||
Nagerkovil school bombing | Nagerkovil | Jaffna | Northern | Air Force | |||
Kumarapuram massacre / Trincomalee massacre / Killiveddy massacre | Kumarapuram | Trincomalee | Eastern | Army | |||
Nachchikuda strafing | Poonagari | Kilinochchi | Northern | Army | |||
Kilinochchi town massacre | Kilinochchi | Kilinochchi | Northern | Army | |||
Tampalakamam massacre | Tampalakamam | Trincomalee | Eastern | Police, Home Guards | |||
Visuvamadhu shelling | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Chundikulam massacre | Chundikulam | Kilinochchi | Northern | Air Force | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu bombing | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Palinagar bombing | Suthanthirapuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Madhu church massacre | Madhu | Mannar | Northern | Air Force | |||
Pallikuda bombing | Pallikuda | Kilinochchi | Northern | Air Force | |||
Silivaturai massacre | Silivaturai | Mannar | Northern | Navy | |||
Columbuthurai massacre | Columbuthurai | Jaffna | Northern | Army | |||
Mirusuvil massacre | Mirusuvil | Jaffna | Northern | Army | |||
Trincomalee massacre | Trincomalee | Trincomalee | Eastern | Police | |||
Allaipiddy massacre | Allaipiddy | Jaffna | Northern | Navy, EPDP | |||
Nedunkal pressure mine attack | Nedunkal | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Vankalai massacre | Vankalai | Mannar | Northern | Army | |||
Pesalai Church attack | Pesalai | Mannar | Northern | Navy | |||
Trincomalee massacre of NGO workers / Muttur massacre | Muttur | Trincomalee | Eastern | Police, Home Guards | |||
St. Philip Neri Church shelling | Allaipiddy | Jaffna | Northern | - | Army | ||
Chencholai bombing | Mullaitivu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Vaharai Bombing / Vaharai Shelling | Kathiraveli | Batticaloa | Eastern | Army | |||
Massacre at Thandikulam | Thandikulam | Vavuniya | Northern | Police, Army | |||
Padahuthurai bombing / Illuppaikadavai bombing | Illuppaikadavai | Mannar | Northern | Air Force | |||
Murukandy claymore attack | Murukandy | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mullaitivu petrol station and bus depot bombing | Mullaitivu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Thevipuram and Vaddakachchi shelling | Thevipuram, Vaddakachchi | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Tharmapuram Hospital shelling | Tharmapuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Visuamadu shelling | Visuamadu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Suthanthirapuram, Thevipuram, Udayarkattu and Vallipuram shelling | Suthanthirapuram, Thevipuram, Udayarkattu, Vallipuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army | ||
Vallipuram Hospital shelling | Vallipuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Moonkilaru, Thevipuram and Udayarkattu shelling | Moonkilaru, Thevipuram, Udayarkattu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Suthanthirapuram shelling | Suthanthirapuram Junction | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army | ||
Suthanthirapuram and Udayarkattu shelling | Suthanthirapuram, Udayarkattu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu shelling | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Udayaarkaddu Hospital shelling | Udayaarkaddu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital shelling | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army | ||
Suthanthirapuram shelling | Suthanthirapuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
Ponnambalam Memorial Hospital bombing | Near Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | ||||
Mahtalan, Moongilaru, Suthanthirapuram, Thevipuram, Udayarkattu and Vallipuram shelling | Mahtalan, Moongilaru, Suthanthirapuram, Thevipuram, Udayarkattu, Vallipuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu shelling | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Putumattalan shelling | Putumattalan | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Suthanthirapuram shelling | Suthanthirapuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Devipuram shelling | Devipuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Pokkanai bombing | Pokkanai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Mattalan shelling | Mattalan | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Putumattalan Hospital shelling | Putumattalan | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army | ||
Mattalan, Thevipuram and Vallipuram shelling | Mattalan, Thevipuram, Vallipuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Iranaipalai shelling | Iranaipalai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital shelling | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Thevipuram and Vallipuram shelling | Thevipuram, Vallipuram | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mullivaikkal and Putumattalan bombing and shelling | Mullivaikkal, Putumattalan | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army, Air Force | |||
Valayanmadam shelling | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mattalan shelling | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Valayanmadam shelling | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Ampalavanpokkanai, Idaikdu and Puthukkudiyiruppu shelling | Ampalavanpokkanai, Idaikdu, Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Valayanmadam bombing | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Air Force | ||
Ananthapuram, Iranaipalai, Mullivaikkal and Puthukkudiyiruppu shelling | Ananthapuram, Iranaipalai, Mullivaikkal, Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Valayanmadam shelling | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Ananthapuram, Iranaipalai, Pokkanai, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Valayanmadam shelling | Ananthapuram, Iranaipalai, Pokkanai, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Ampalavanpokkanai, Mattalan, Mullivaikkal, Pokkanai and Valayanmadam shelling | Ampalavanpokkanai, Mattalan, Mullivaikkal, Pokkanai, Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Ananthapuram and Iranaipalai shelling | Ananthapuram, Iranaipalai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Iranaipalai shelling | Iranaipalai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Puthukkudiyiruppu bombing and shelling | Puthukkudiyiruppu | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army, Air Force | |||
Ampalavakanai and Mullivaikkal shelling | Ampalavakanai, Mullivaikkal | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mattalan and Valayanmadam shelling | Mattalan, Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mattalan and Valayanmadam shelling | Mattalan, Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
No Fire Zone shelling | No Fire Zone | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
No Fire Zone shelling | No Fire Zone | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
No Fire Zone shelling | No Fire Zone | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
Pokkanai shelling | Pokkanai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mattalan, Mullivaikkal and Pokkanai shelling | Mattalan, Mullivaikkal, Pokkanai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mattalan shelling | Mattalan | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Valayanmadam bombing | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force | |||
Valayanmadam shelling | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mullivaikkal, Putumattalan and Valayanmadam shelling | Mullivaikkal, Putumattalan, Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army | ||
No Fire Zone shelling | No Fire Zone | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
No Fire Zone shelling | No Fire Zone | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Pokkanai shelling | Pokkanai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Pokkanai shelling | Pokkanai | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
No Fire Zone shelling | No Fire Zone | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Pokkanai shelling | Pokkanai | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
Valayanmadam makeshift hospital bombing | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Air Force | ||
Valayanmadam shelling | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | Army | |||
Mullivaikkal Hospital bombings | Mullivaikkal | Mullaitivu | Northern | + | Army, Air Force | ||
Iraddayvaikkal and Mullivaikkal bombing | Iraddayvaikkal, Mullivaikkal | Mullaitivu | Northern | Air Force, Navy | |||
Valayanmadam makeshift hospital bombing | Valayanmadam | Mullaitivu | Northern | - | Army | ||
Welikada prison riot | Welikada Prison | Colombo | Western | Police, Army | |||
Weliweriya Protestors' Attack | Weliweirya | Gampaha | Western | Army |