The 2006 Kebithigollewa Tragedy

The Kebithigollewa massacre occurred on 15th June 2006 when a Sri Lankan civilian bus was targeted in a claymore attack by a violent terrorist organization. The U.S and the SLMM claimed that a terrorist organization, active within the country at the time, was the perpetrator.

The Kebithigollewa incident involved a state owned bus which was struck by two Claymore directional mines. 68 Sri Lankan lives (men, women and infants) were lost as a result of this attack.

Shortly after the incident, a team from the Institute for Research and Development in Health & Social Care, including our Honorary Director, Prof. Athula Sumathipala visited the affected village and conducted workshops and discussions to help alleviate the mental distress and suffering faced by the community.