This temple, the most sacred Buddhist temple for all the Buddhists in the world was attacked by the Tamil LATTE terrorists using a massive truck bomb in 25th January 1998 killing 8 people including a infant and injuring 15. This is probably the first time in contemporary world history that a sacred shrine of such international religious significance and a site of world heritage has been deliberately targeted by a terrorist group in the world in an attempt to bring about its destruction.
The blast caused extensive damage to most areas of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. However, the Sacred Tooth Relic which is housed in the inner chamber miraculously escaped any damage. Also the extensively damaged by the blast were the Vishnu, Natha and Pattini Devales (Shrines) and St. Paul's Church all of which are located in the 'Sacred and Royal Square', adjacent to the Sri Dalada Maligawa complex.
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