Assassination attempt on President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Town Hall grounds

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga narrowed escaped a suicide bomb attack on December 18th 1999 as she wrapped up her final Presidential campaign rally at the Town Hall grounds.

President Kumaratunga lost her right eye while 21 others lost their lives and over a hundred people, including several cabinet ministers, were injured. Shortly afterwards, a second suicide bomber targeted the United National Party election rally in Ja-Ela killing Major General Lucky Algama and ten others while injuring another 40.