April 05

This is 5th of April. It is day 95 of the year. As of today, there are 270 days left until the end of the year. If you are curious about the most important and notable historical footprint of Sri Lanka, let us delve into more On This Day events to uncover fascinating tidbits from the nation's history that covers for 365 days.

Today’s Highlight

• 1942 – The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a carrier-based air attack, known as the Easter Sunday Raid, on Colombo, Ceylon, during the Indian Ocean raid in World War II. The attack targeted the RAF base at Ratmalana and the harbor, damaging port and civilian facilities, and sinking Royal Navy cruisers, a destroyer, and a Norwegian tanker.
• 1956 – The Ceylonese parliamentary election, held until April 10, was the first to realistically challenge the ruling United National Party.
• 1971 – The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) launched an insurrection against the United Front government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, marking the first of two unsuccessful armed revolts, where rebels attacked 74 police stations and cut power to major urban areas.
• 2009 – The Battle of Aanandapuram and Battle of Puthukkudiyirippu, fought between the Sri Lankan Military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for control of the LTTE’s last stronghold, ended with a decisive victory for the Sri Lankan Army, leading to the loss of seven senior LTTE commanders.
• 2009 – Attacks on the No Fire Zone in Mathalan, Pokkanai, Valaignarmadam, and Iraddaivaikkal areas in Mullaitivu resulted in 71 deaths.
• 2021 – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered the immediate suspension of palm oil imports to Sri Lanka.
• 2022 – The Sri Lanka People’s Freedom Alliance (SLPFA), a political alliance led by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and consisting of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and 15 smaller parties, dissolved functionally, with the SLFP joining the opposition amidst Sri Lanka’s economic and political crisis.

International observance

• International Day of Conscience