The Ethnic Riot
| Anti-Tamil riots in Sri Lanka |
| Gal Oya (1956) |
| 1958 riots (1958) |
| 1977 riots (1977) |
| Black July (1983) |
There were different beliefs on how the riots started. Some believe they started when there was a dispute began when four policemen entered a carnival without tickets. Apparently the policemen were inebriated and proceeded to attack those who asked for tickets. The conflict escalated and the policemen were beaten up by the public and in retaliation the police opened fire.
Others have the view that the carnival incident was a pretext, inquiries revealing that it was conducted in an organized manner and was hence a pre-planned attack. The riot started on August 12 1977, within less than a month of the new government taking office.
Read more about this topic: 1977 Riots In Sri Lanka
Famous quotes containing the words ethnic and/or riot:
“Caprice, independence and rebellion, which are opposed to the social order, are essential to the good health of an ethnic group. We shall measure the good health of this group by the number of its delinquents. Nothing is more immobilizing than the spirit of deference.”
—Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985)
“The bowl will ensnare and enchant
men who crouch by the hearth
till they want
but the riot of stars in the night;
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—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)