COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – OCTOBER 15, 2025 On October 12, 1997, in the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, two buildings of the World Trade Center Colombo were opened as a symbol of the country’s economic development. Their opening attracted the attention of investors as well as terrorists.
World Trade Center Colombo
At that time, Sri Lanka was experiencing a long-standing ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese government and the Tamil separatist movement LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). One of LTTE’s tactics included terrorist methods such as suicide attacks.
Just three days after the official opening of the buildings, on October 15, 1997, the LTTE carried out an organized terrorist attack targeting the WTC and surrounding buildings. In the early morning, the attackers arrived at the underground parking of the nearby Galadari Hotel with a truck loaded with explosives. During this, they shot four unarmed security guards. They then detonated the truck, creating a crater about 20 feet (6.1 meters) in diameter and 12 feet (3.1 meters) deep. The explosion destroyed dozens of cars in the parking lot and shattered all the windows in the WTC and adjacent buildings.
After the explosion, the attackers opened fire and attempted to enter surrounding buildings, including the WTC. In the Lake House building, they took about 20 hostages. During an attempted rescue, one attacker detonated a suicide vest. Others committed suicide to avoid capture.
Official sources report that the attack resulted in 15–18 casualties, including attackers and security forces. 105 people were injured, including seven U.S. tourists. Although the attack damaged windows and facades, the structure and stability of the WTC buildings remained intact.
At the time, the attack was considered the largest terrorist attack on Sri Lankan soil. It was a major symbolic blow to the country’s economic center and demonstrated that the LTTE was capable of organized and deliberate attacks.
In May 2009, the civil war in Sri Lanka ended when government forces captured the last territory controlled by the LTTE. During the final battles, the leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed. This milestone is considered the definitive end of this terrorist organization.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Colombo_World_Trade_Centre_bombing
