In July 1983 violence Sri Lanka had reached unprecedented heights. Tamil homes and institutions were targeted mercilessly by the Sinhalese mobs. Tamil-run general stores, and other businesses were burnt to the ground. Several bystander accounts recall mobs setting fire to vehicles transporting Tamils, including women and children. Singular targeted attacks were commonplace as well, as the riots ran amok.

According to BBC, Tamil inmates in prisons were not spared either by their Sinhalese counterparts. Fifty-three inmates were killed over the next few days in prisons across the island nation.

Taking into account the large-scale violence, the President, on 25 July, ordered a curfew in Colombo and other riot-stricken areas. This, however, did little to curb the riots.

- The Quint 2019