August 11

This is 11th of August. It is day 223 of the year. As of today, there are 142 days left until the end of the year. If you are curious about the 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

• 1747 – Sri Vijaya Rajasinha (Rajasimha III) died, ending his rule and leading to Kirti Sri Rajasinha becoming the ruler of the Kandy Kingdom.
• 1812 – The Peradeniya Botanical Garden was established in Sri Lanka.
• 1952 – Months after the inaugural service of passenger jet aircraft at Ratmalana Airport, British Overseas Airways Corporation launched its Comet service to London.
• 1984 – The Israeli Security Agency Shin Bet trained Sri Lankan armed forces, including the STF.
• 1990 – The Eravur massacre in Batticaloa District killed between 116 and 173 people.
• 2006 – The A9 highway, connecting the Jaffna Peninsula to southern Sri Lanka, was closed indefinitely, trapping Jaffna’s residents; it reopened in 2009.
• 2006 – The Battle of Jaffna began between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE.
• 2006 – The Sri Lankan Armed Forces announced they had taken full control of the sluice gates at Mavil Aru reservoir.