Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was shot by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk, while meeting the public at his private residence on September 25, 1959. He died the following day from wounds to his chest, abdomen, and hand. The monk was part of a group of nationalists frustrated with the government. Bandaranaike became the first Sri Lankan national leader to be assassinated, an event that would lead to his widow becoming the world’s first female prime minister.
1959 AD
Assassination of SWRD Bandaranaike
Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike was shot by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk, while meeting the public at his private residence on September 25, 1959. He died the following day from wounds to his chest, abdomen, and hand. The monk was part of a group of nationalists frustrated with the government. Bandaranaike became the first Sri Lankan national leader to be assassinated, an event that would lead to his widow becoming the world's first female prime minister.