 | This article possibly contains original research. (June 2019) |
| Anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka | |
|---|---|
| Part of aftermath of the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings | |
  Minuwangoda  Bingiriya Kuliyapitiya Nikaweratiya Panduwasnuwara Wariyapola  Kandy | |
| Location | Chilaw and North Western Province, Sri Lanka |
| Date | 6–16 May 2019 (UTC+05:30) |
| Target | Mosques, Muslim-owned property, and Muslim civilians |
Attack type | Widespread looting, assault, arson |
| Weapons | Axes, guns, explosives, knives, swords |
| Deaths | 1[1] |
| Injured | 100+ |
| Victims | Muslim civilians |
| Perpetrators | Sinhalese Buddhist Mobs |
No. of participants | Thousands |
| Motive | Ethnic cleansing |
| Part of a series on |
| Islamophobia |
|---|
 |
The Sri Lankan anti-Muslim riots were a series of religiously motivated riots targeting Muslims in Sri Lanka. The riots originated as isolated incidents in the aftermath of the Easter bombings in the nation,[2] beginning in Chilaw and subsequently spreading to much of the Northwestern Province.[3][4][5]
Muslim citizens, mosques and other properties were attacked by mobs of Sinhala Buddhist nationalists, and at least one incident in which attacks were carried out by a Christian-majority mob.[6] Only one death was reported, Saleem Ameer who was killed by a mob wielding swords. Other sources claimed 9 deaths, but the claims are unconfirmed.[7][8] Other news agencies have reported that over 540 Muslim-owned houses and properties have been destroyed, in addition to upwards of 100 vehicles.[9][10]
Similar to the anti-Muslim riots of 2018, locals in affected areas have noted the arrival of outsiders in buses to participate in the rioting, raising concerns that these attacks had been orchestrated beforehand.[11]
On 3 June 2019, all Muslim cabinet ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers, decided to resign from their positions. At the media briefing, Minister Rauff Hakeem stated that the decision was made to allow space for thorough and unhindered investigations of alleged terror links of politicians. The announcement was made during rapidly rising anti-Muslim sentiment, following recent incidents.[12]
As of 6 June 2019, propagation of hate speech and fake news has been made a crime, liable of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years, a fine exceeding Rs. 1 million ($ 5,600), or both. The move was proposed by Ranjith Maddumabandara in his capacity as Acting Minister of Justice, and approved by the cabinet decision.[13][14]
- ^ "After Sri Lankan attacks, Muslims face boycotts and violence". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ "Police curfew imposed in Negombo". Daily Mirror. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ Bastians, Dharisha; Mashal, Mujib (13 May 2019). "Sri Lanka Declares Curfew After Mobs Target Muslims". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ Shah, Saeed; Jayasinghe, Uditha (14 May 2019). "Buddhist Mobs Target Muslims in Sri Lanka Following Deadly Easter Bombings". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
- ^ Pathirana, Pradeep (14 May 2019). "Lifetime of effort up in flames". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ "Christian mob attacks Muslim shops in Negombo, Sri Lanka". NewsComAu. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- ^ Fonseka, Piyumi (30 May 2019). "Anti-Muslim attacks: Process of compensation causes trickle of unease". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ "Muslim man killed as Sinhala mobs attack mosques and shops". Tamil Guardian. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ Fuller, Lisa; Rizwie, Rukshana (21 May 2019). "In Sri Lanka, Muslims say Sinhala neighbours turned against them". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ "2,289 arrested in connection with Easter Sunday bombing and communal violence". www.defence.lk. Retrieved 11 June 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Kumarasinghe, Kalani; Perera, Yoshitha (15 May 2019). "Outside hand suspected in Kuliyapitiya violence". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Full media briefing in English: All Muslim Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers resign from Government" (Video). Daily Mirror. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "Govt to amend laws on fake news". Siyatha. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- ^ "Cabinet approves legal action against spreading false statements & hate speech". Ada Derana. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.