Memorial to Ven Dambarawe Rathnasara Thero, Kollupitiya

Ven Dambarawe Rathnasara Thero was killed on January 8th 1966 during a protest march led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party Leader Sirimavo Bandaranaike against the regulations framed under the Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act of 1958 that the Minister of Local Government, M. Tiruchelvam, was presenting in Parliament that day.

The Tamil Language (Special Provisions) Act of 1958 sought to enable the use of Tamil in educational institutions, the administrative service and in official correspondence, in predominantly Tamil speaking areas. Opposition from Buddhist clergy and Sinhala national parties prevented the legislation from being enforced, in 1958 as well as in 1966.