[1] In the late 1980s, the country was under a tense situation with two insurgencies ravaging northern and southern parts of Sri Lanka.

[3] In 1987, neighboring India intervened in the conflict to bring an end to the fighting between the insurgents and the Sri Lankan armed forces.

[5] This suspicion was fuelled by the perceived threat of northeastern autonomy, due to the presence of Indian Army in Sri Lankan soil.

[6] By this time, JVP was equipped with experiences of a failed insurrection in 1971, against the government of Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

[9][10] The attack was carried on by 3 armed men with a Type 56 assault rifle and two magazines of ammo near one.