Tamils in the north and east observe a 'hartal': shops are closed and work stops in protest against the deaths of two Tamils who were killed during the police response to an earlier demonstration.
Timeline of events under "Communal violence" issue
Campaign in response to the ‘anti Sri’ campaign begins: extremist elements reciprocate with the ‘tarring’ of Tamil name boards in Colombo and elsewhere.
Federal Party conducts its sathyagraha protest on Galle Face Green against intended legislation to make Sinhala the official language. Protests spark communal violence in Colombo. Violence spreads to Ampara and the Gal-Oya Valley. An estimated 150 deaths, mainly Tamil, result.
Similar to Gal Oya, Sinhalese employees on the Padaviya scheme attack Tamils in the area.
A Muslim magistrate from Samanthurai, who came to settle a quarrel between two Tamils in a drunken brawl, is stabbed in the argument that ensued. In response, Muslim mobs from Samanthurai attack Tamils from Veeramunai, setting fire to Tamil houses in the area and causing Tamils to flee.
