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Akuressa suicide bombing

SOLVED2009Godapitiya Jumma mosque, Akuressa, Matara District, Sri Lanka3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

On 10 March 2009, a suicide bomber attributed to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) caused an explosion at a religious parade near the Godapitiya Jumma mosque in Akuressa, in the Matara District of southern Sri Lanka. The blast killed 14 people and injured 35 civilians.

Among the injured were several Sri Lankan government ministers, including oil resources minister A. H. M. Fowzie, telecommunications minister Mahinda Wijesekara, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Pandu Bandaranaike, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, and Ali Ameer. A small number of local politicians were among those killed in the attack.

Following police investigation into the incident, the bomber was identified as an individual named Senthamil. Identification was made by the bomber's girlfriend at the mortuary of Matara Hospital. The explosion was captured on video footage filmed by a local resident, which was later made available online.

The attack occurred during the final phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War, a period marked by intense conflict between government forces and the LTTE in the lead-up to the conflict's end in May 2009.

Key facts

Victims
Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Ali Ameer, A. H. M. Fowzie, Pandu Bandaranaike, Mahinda Wijesekara
Date
2009
Location
Godapitiya Jumma mosque, Akuressa, Matara District, Sri Lanka
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2009-03-10

    A suicide bomber detonated an explosive at a religious parade near Godapitiya Jumma mosque in Akuressa, Matara, Sri Lanka, killing 14 and injuring 35 civilians, including several government ministers.

  2. 2009-03-10

    Police investigations identified the bomber as Senthamil, who was identified by his girlfriend at the Matara Hospital mortuary.

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People

  • Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena

    VICTIM

    Government minister injured in the explosion.

  • Chandrasiri Gajadeera

    VICTIM

    Government minister injured in the explosion.

  • Ali Ameer

    VICTIM

    Government minister injured in the explosion.

  • A. H. M. Fowzie

    VICTIM

    Sri Lankan oil resources minister, injured in the explosion.

  • Pandu Bandaranaike

    VICTIM

    Government minister injured in the explosion.

  • Mahinda Wijesekara

    VICTIM

    Sri Lankan telecommunications minister, injured in the explosion.

  • Senthamil

    CHARGED

    Identified by police as the LTTE suicide bomber responsible for the explosion; identified posthumously by his girlfriend at the Matara Hospital mortuary. No formal charges could be filed as the bomber died in the attack.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Godapitiya Jumma mosque, Akuressa, Matara District, Sri Lanka

6.0925, 80.4642

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
On 10 March 2009, a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam suicide bomber detonated an explosive at a religious parade near Godapitiya Jumma mosque in Akuressa, Matara, Sri Lanka, killing 14 and injuring 35 civilians, including several government ministers.
Where did the bombing happen?
Godapitiya Jumma mosque, Akuressa, Matara District, Sri Lanka.
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.
More cases in Sri Lanka

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICAkuressa suicide bombingWikipedia · 2026-07-10
  2. PRESSSri Lankan ministers targeted by Tamil Tiger suicide bomberThe Telegraph · 2026-07-10
  3. PRESSMany killed in Sri Lankan bomb attackThe Guardian · 2026-07-10