What Happened
In May 1958, plans were ahead for a Tamil Political Party conference to be held in Vavuniya. Tamils travelling by train from Batticaloa and Amparai for the conference were attacked by Sinhala mobs in Polonnaruwa. Following this incident, further violence against Tamils was let loose throughout the island.
Women were raped and Tamil property was damaged. A priest was burnt alive inside his Kathirvelayutha temple in Pananthura. The Sri Lankan government looked on as the violence against Tamils continued. Many Tamil homes were set alight. Babies were dropped in hot tar.
Well known journalist Tarzi Vittachchi wrote the famous book "Emergency 58" about this pogrom after he was expelled from the country. More than 300 Tamils were killed in this pogrom.
Perpetrators
Sinhalese mobs with government complicity
Sources & References
- NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume I