Ethnic tensions escalate into civil conflict during Black July riots in Sri Lanka.

The period marked by intense violence and unrest in Sri Lanka saw anti-Tamil riots instigated by the government and Sinhalese mobs, leading to the commencement of a prolonged civil conflict. The roots of this upheaval lay in deep-seated ethnic tensions between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. The events were triggered following the ambush and killing of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers by the Tamil militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This incident drew a violent backlash from Sinhalese groups, who, with covert support from governing authorities, embarked on a series of retaliatory attacks against Tamil civilians. Over a span of several days, Tamil homes, businesses, and properties were looted and set on fire, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. Estimates suggest that between 400 to 3,000 Tamil individuals were killed, though exact figures remain contested. Approximately 150,000 Tamils were rendered homeless, and a significant number sought refuge in camp-like structures within and outside the country. The impact of these events was profound. They catalyzed further ethnic segregation and forced displacement. The riots also significantly bolstered the ranks of the LTTE as many disaffected Tamil youth, disillusioned by the systemic failures and violence, joined the militant insurgency, hoping to carve out a separate Tamil state. Consequently, this period marked the beginning of the Sri Lankan Civil War, a conflict that spanned over two decades and profoundly altered the socio-political landscape of the nation. Sri Lanka's standing on the international stage was affected, attracting widespread condemnation for the government's role—or at least complicit neutrality—in the violence. The term 'Black' has been used to denote the dark legacy of these events, reflecting a period marked by brutality and national division. #MoofLife #SriLanka #CivilWar #AntiTamilRiots #EthnicConflict #WarHistory #Displacement #LTTE #BlackJuly