This timeline of incidents or activities are based on the information reported in mainstream medias, social media networks and during direct interviews with victims or witnesses by PRG’s team.
Year 2020
A Muslim owned shop in Katupotha Kurengala burned down
A muslim owned shop in Katupotha, Kurnegala burned down third time within three years. It was the only Muslims owned shop in Katupotha.
http://www.ceylonmuslim.com/2020/08/blog-post_28.html?m=1
Stop me if you can” – Buddhist monk threatens anti Muslim boycott
A senior Buddhist monk in campaigning to be reelected to parliament has made an inflammatory statement by threatening to launch a “massive boycott” of Muslim businesses if the government fails ban to traditional Islamic education institutes and the Burqua.
Denigrating Madrasas as “factories that produce bombers and brainwash people,” former parliamentarian Athuraliye Ratana Thero vowed to carry out his anti-Muslim action within a week.
Speaking to journalists on 6 June in Rajagiriya, he challenged the government to “stop him if they can” from carrying out his threat.
“We tell the Buddhists, Christians, Tamils and Hindus that we should stop visiting Muslim shops until they ban the burqa and shut down the Madrasas. We give a week’s notice to the Jamiyyathul Ulama.”
The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) is the top religious body of Islamic theologians that provides religious and community guidance to Sri Lankan Muslims.
Recently, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who requested authorities to investigate teachings in Madrasa schools was informed that registered institutions follow a curriculum approved by the education ministry.
“This matter was discussed in the security council as well,” said PM Rajapaksa
The PM later instructed officials to register any unregulated Madrasas.
The first ever Sri Lankan Madrasa was established in Galle in 1870, according to the Department of Muslim Affairs. Reports say there are 1669 madrasas and 317 Arabic colleges today.
https://english.theleader.lk/news/785-stop-me-if-you-can-buddhist-monk-threatens-anti-muslim-boycott
Temporarily appointed Director of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital resigns following protest threats linking him with Dr.Shafi
The temporary director of Kurunegala teaching Hospital (KTH) Dr. Fareed, who was appointed by Health Ministry on the 05th of June, has decided to resign from his post following protests threats.
Dewanagala Land Issue: The monk in the said temple is accusing people of encroaching land belong to the temple. And there is a huge racist campaign build on that saying Muslims are destroying archaeological sites
The man in the video is explaining to media with his land entitlement papers that their settlement doesn’t belong to the temple and infact it is at the opposite end of what the archeological department claim as “pooja bhumi”
A 14 yrs old disabled boy Thariq Ahamed from Alutgama was harassed by few police officers
Ali Zahir Moulana on Twitter – 04/06/2020
The news of the brutal assault by police on Thariq Ahamed, a 14 year old autistic boy of Dharga Town, Aluthgama is shocking and the prejudice that ensued after by the Police and the JMO needs to be exposed. Thariq was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder since he was 4 and his development has been hindered by it since. Today, he has the capacities of a 6 year old child. On the 25th of May, while curfew was imposed, Thariq had wandered out of his house on his bicycle and had ventured by the Ambagaha Junction in Dharga Town where there was a police checkpoint manned by 6-7 policemen. He was first stopped and accosted by a policeman in civvies, and pushed violently off his bicycle.
Ada Derana falsely portrayed an incident as that took place near the mosque.
Three elderly women died and several others were hospitalized following a stampede at a private residence near Maligawatta Jummah Masjid area during a private aid distribution program which was held on 21/05/2020. But few medias including ada derana published as that incident took place at the Mosque.
Prominent lawyer Hejaz Hisbullah was arrested by the CID allegedly in connection with the Easter bombings in April 2019
Prominent lawyer Attorney at law Hejaz Hisbullah was arrested by the CID allegedly in connection with the Easter bombings in April 2019. On the 15th of April 2020 -The Bar Association of Sri Lanka wrote a letter to the IGP regarding the arrest. The President of Bar Association said that according to the information they have received, “the reasons for his arrest have not been made known at the time.” and they were informed that“the arrest was based on certain functions attended by Mr. Hizbullah in his professional capacity, as a memberof the Bar” Hizbullah has been legal counsel in a number of high-profile cases, including the challenge to the dissolution of parliament in 2018 and fundamental rights cases. Officers from the CID had visited him at his home on April 14, where they handcuffed and questioned him, and later took him into custody. A habeas corpus petition brought on his behalf said the authorities searched Hizbullah’s legal office, opened files, and “perused his briefs and professional work related files.”
https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/23/sri-lanka-due-process-concerns-arrests-muslims
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa37/2221/2020/en/
Ramzy Razeek, an activist was arrested for publishing a social media post criticizing racism targeted at Muslims in Sri Lanka and mentioning about the need of an ideolological jihad using pen and keyboard
Ramzy Razeek has been a regular commentator on Facebook. He was arrested on 9th April 2020 for some Facebook posts. Amongst the offending post is believed be a post on 2nd April in which he had called for an ideological jihad or ideological struggle, with “pen and keyboard”, through “social and mainstream media”, “on behalf of the county and all its citizens” and “to help people understand the truth” in context of “hate propagated against Muslims”. Ramzy has regularly advocated against racism and extremism on Facebook, while advocating for inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, women’s rights and democracy. He has also been a regular critique of practices of some Muslims. Randy’s profile and posts are public and none advocate hatred leading to incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence.
https://freeramzy.wordpress.com
Misleading claim circulates that Muslims ignored COVID-19 curfew at Sri Lankan mosque
A claim has been shared on Facebook and several Sri Lankan news websites that Muslims at a mosque in Sri Lanka reacted violently after authorities told them their gathering was in violation of the country’s novel coronavirus curfew. The claim is misleading; police and public health officials said that locals were in fact asked to gather at the mosque to receive tests to detect COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The scuffle that occurred at the event was sparked over fears that the testing site would make the village more susceptible to infections, they said.
A Muslim restaurant worker killed by a group for not allowing consume alcohol within the premise
A hotel employee has been shot and killed in a clash at 9.45 pm at a nightclub in Periyamulla, Negombo.
The Aziz from the Kekirawa area was the tragic death. Both the hotel owner’s brother, Rizwan, and the employee, Jibri, have been hospitalized with cuts. The men who arrived in the van had fled with the van after the killing. They have disputed the permit to have liquor in the hotel as there is a liquor license in the country.
However, the owner and staff of the hotel have told them not to drink alcohol. It is reported that a hotel worker has been hacked to death by the van. Police are carrying out intensive investigations into this and security is being strengthened on the spot.
Sri Lanka announces withdrawal from UNHRC resolutions cosponsorship in Geneva
ECONOMYNEXT – Promising “homegrown solutions to contemporary challenges”, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) formerly declared its decision today to withdraw from cosponsorship of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution 40/1 and the preceding resolutions 30/1 and 34/1.
Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who addressed the high-level segment of the 43rd UNHRC session in Geneva a short while ago said that Sri Lanka will work toward the closure of the resolution in conjunction with all members of the UN.
“I wish to place on record Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from the cosponsorship of the resolution 40/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, which also incorporates and builds on preceding resolutions 30/1 of October 2015 and 34/1 of March 2017,” he said.
Sri Lanka scraps Tamil national anthem at Independence Day
Dropping of Tamil, the country’s second national language, is a departure from the previous governments.
Sri Lanka’s new government declined to sing the national anthem in Tamil, the country’s second national language, during the island’s Independence Day celebrations on Tuesday, a departure from the previous government which sang the anthem in the country’s two primary languages to promote ethnic harmony in the aftermath of a decades-long civil war.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/sri-lanka-scraps-tamil-national-anthem-independence-day-200204103334093.html
Year 2019
Muslims Owned Diamond Pasta factory in Minuwangoda was robbed by Mobs
Diamond Pasta company was once again robbed by Sinhala extremists. still there are complains registered in Police, CID and Human Rights these attacks are continuing.
Authorities arrested more than 2500 Muslims over suspicious of Easter Sunday Attacks between 21st April – 30th June
Most of those arrested have been Muslim and the grounds for their arrest and detention are unclear. Muslims have been arrested for having a Quran. Most of the arrests have been under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which allows long-term detention without charge or trial.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/07/04/sri-lanka-muslims-face-threats-attacks
Muslim-owned Janaposha Foundation ceased the distribution of free meals to 2 Hospitals in Colombo after negative remarks in Media
On 25 June, the Janaposha Foundation ceased the distribution of free meals to patients and visitors of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Kalubowila Hospita, and the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, citing safety concerns of staff. The decision was made after negative remarks by Minister Gamini Lokuge on the Foundation’s links to Muslims. The Foundation began operations in 2012, and served approximately half a million free meals annually.
colombogazette.com/2019/06/25/allegations-forces-suspension-of-free-meals-project/
A local council chairman issued a controversial circular banning Muslim vendors from using the Dankotuwa Sathi marketplace in Wennappuwa
On 24 June, SLPP member and Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha chairman K V Susantha Perera issued a controversial circular banning Muslim vendors from using the Dankotuwa Sathi marketplace. The circular further stated that the move was done to “preserve peace in the area”.The Marawila Magistrate’s Court subsequently ordered the chairman to provide further explanation on the ban.The Sri Lanka Police overturned the local government ban on 25 June, with the local police superintendent commenting that it was done to curb the spread of Islamaphobia.
www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/wennapuwa-a-land-of-its-own-pradeshiya-sabha-bans-muslim-vendors/
Senior Monk Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana asked to boycott Muslim-owned shops, and stonning of Muslims
On 17 June, chief prelate of the Asgiriya chapter Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana claimed that Buddhist women the doctor involved in the sterilisation controversy stoned and approved their statements. He also asked to boycott Muslim-owned shops, and for Sinhala-Buddhists to reject food offered by Muslims stating that it will lead to infertility. Despite violating the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and imposed local emergency laws, no action was taken against the senior monk. Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera condemned the monk’s racially charged speech.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/06/fear-sri-lanka-monk-calls-stoning-muslims-190621152817814.html
A Muslims owned Farm shop and its owner was attacked by mobs.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/06/blog-post_257.html
A large clothing factory in Pannala was burnt down
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/06/blog-post_699.html
Two Muslims owned shops in the Siyambalagaskotuwa & Katupotha town in the Kurunegala district were burnt down
Two shops belonging to a Muslim man in the Siyambalagaskotuwa – Katupotha town in the Kurunegala district were burnt down last night by unidentified men. A fire-stall and a stall containing benzi lumber have been completely burnt. Both shops are owned by a Muslim. The shop owner AHM Sibai said the damage to the building and the goods was about Rs 75 lakhs. The Katupotha police are carrying out investigations and state chemical analysis officers are conducting investigations. The incident occurred at about 8.45pm on Monday. These two shops in Katupotha are owned by Muslims only.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/06/blog-post_552.html
Some Muslims Owned shops have been attacked in Keirawa
An attack on the property of the Muslim community in Kekirawa has been carried out. A protest was launched yesterday in support of the Athuraliya Ratna Thera and the school children were attacked yesterday. Demonstrators are reportedly attacking Muslim businesses and homes. It is reported that the frightened Muslim people have been confined to their homes. It is alleged that the police did not intervene to prevent the attack, although the police were on guard during the incident.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/06/blog-post_8.html
Three Muslim men were attacked by supporters of Athuraliye Rathana Thero, at the site of the monk’s protest inn Kandy
On 3 June, three Muslim men were taken into protective custody after supporters of Athuraliye Rathana Thero beat them for failing to prove their identity, at the site of the monk’s protest.
newshub.lk/en/2019/06/03/three-individuals-attacked-for-failing-to-verify-identity-at-site-of-rathana-thero-fast-video/
A Muslim woman who wore clothing that resembles the Dharmachakra was arrested under ICCPR in Hasalaka
On 27 May, a woman who wore clothing that resembles the Dharmachakra was arrested. The woman could not obtain bail as she was arrested under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The arrest sparked controversy as many argued that the woman’s clothing only resembled the wheel of a ship.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/plus/A-%E2%80%98symbolic%E2%80%99-arrest/352-167764
Dr Shafi arrested on alegation that he performed sterilisation on 4000 Buddhist pregnant women
Daily Newspaper’s fake headline – Thawheed Jamath Doctor, performed sterilisation on 400 Sinhala-Buddhist pregnant women (23/03/2019). Dr Shafi arrested on allegation he acquired large number of assets through suspicious means.
www.sundayobserver.lk/2019/07/14/news-features/dr-shafi-case-cid-reveals-hospital-director-falsified-complaints
A Muslim passenger on Sri Lankan Airlines from Melbourne to Colombo was detained for reading the Quran in flight
On 23 May, a Muslim passenger on Sri Lankan Airlines UL605 from Melbourne to Colombo was detained for reading the Quran inflight. The passenger was detained for 12-hours by CID after the crew reported the suspicious activity to ground staff. In a statement issued the airline denied any discrimination, and stated that they were following standard protocol.
colombogazette.com/2019/05/27/airline-defends-action-taken-on-passenger-heading-to-colombo/
Muslim Teachers of St Anthony’s school in Kandy were not allowed enter the premises with abayas
7 Muslim teachers working at St. Anthony’s Ladies’ College, Kandy have been banned from going to the Central Province Governor’s office after the Governor of the Central Province ordered them to remove the ban on wearing the abaya and allow the teachers to wear the abaya. Have been. The Muslim teachers at St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, have been abducted by college security officers, alumni and parents as Abaya has worn them for the past two weeks. Teachers who had been sitting at the college’s main gate for several days after school appealed to the Governor of the Central Province. The Kandy Citizens Front also appealed against the ban.
economynext.com/abaya-wearing-women-staff-not-allowed-to-work-in-kandy-girls-school-43485/
Muslim Teachers of Tamil Maha Vidhyalaya school in Poonduloya were not allowed enter the premises with abayas.
Muslim Teachers of Tamil Maha Vidhyalaya school in Poonduloya were not allowed enter the premises with abayas.
A viral fake post shared by Sinhalese news companies claimed to show Muslim restaurant staff cleaning crockery in dirty drainage water
On 21 May, a viral post shared by Sinhalese and a few local news companies claimed to show Muslim restaurant staff cleaning crockery in dirty drainage water. After being shared and viewed tens of thousands of times, the footage was subsequently proven by Agence France-Presse to be a foreign video from 2018.
https://factcheck.afp.com/no-video-does-not-show-restaurant-workers-sri-lanka-washing-crockery-dirty-water
The Kanadenna Jumma Mosque in Mawanella and the Wellekada Jumma Mosque (Uyanwatta) were attacked
The Kanadenna Jumma Mosque in Mawanella and the Wellekada Jumma Mosque (Uyanwatta) were attacked on Friday. Stones have been smashed by people who arrived on a motorcycle.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/05/2_44.html
A Buddhist monk chasing out Sinhalese customers from a Muslim-owned clothes shop in Padiyathalawa.
On 16 May, A Buddhist monk being caught on CCTV in Padiyathalawa, chasing out Sinhalese customers from a Muslim-owned clothes shop, and threatening the owners. The monk was not identified, and no further reports of the incident surfaced.
www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/anti-muslim-violence-buddhist-monk-chases-out-sinhala-customers-in-muslim-owned-shop-video/
Petrol bomb attacks carried out by an unidentified group targeting a Muslim shop in the Matara District of Telijjawila, Horakgoda
Petrol bombs have been carried out by an unidentified terrorist group targeting a shop in the Matara District of Telijjawila, Horakgoda Muslim Division (Matara District) at around 10 pm yesterday.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/05/blog-post_593.html
A Muslim family in tailoring business was taken into custody for keeping orange cloth similar to clothing worn by Buddhist monks in Hunupitiya
On 14 May, a Muslim family doing tailoring business in Hunupitiya, consisting of a mother, three daughters, and five grandchildren was taken into protective custody after Sinhalese neighbours found out that they were in possession of orange cloth similar to clothing worn by Buddhist monks. After police failed to control the sword-wielding mob, the Special Task Force arrived and successfully rescued the family.
colombotelegraph.com/index.php/how-far-can-an-orange-cloth-take-you/
Buddhist mobs destroyed the Rs. 700 million (US$4 million) Muslim-owned Roza Pasta Factory in Minuwangoda
On 13 May day, violent rioters destroyed the Rs. 700 million (US$4 million) Muslim-owned Roza Pasta Factory, which was Sri Lanka’s largest pasta factory. Local witnesses stated 300-400 rioters entered the factory to set it on fire. Viral videos of incident show the large factory complex and machinery still burning hours after the rioting. Reports also claim that the Fire Department refused to douse the blaze and never arrived at the scene, stating that they are out of water.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Riots-in-Minuwangoda:-Pasta-company-owner-says-%E2%80%98yes-to-law-and-no-to-divisions%E2%80%99/131-167332
A Buddhist mob killed 45 year old Mohamed Salim Fowzul Ameer with swords and knives in front of his three children and wife in Kottaramulla
On 13 May, a mob slashed 45-year-old Mohamed Salim Fowzul Ameer with swords and knives in front of his three children and wife, before pouring turpentine on his wounds and face. Mobs also set fire to their vehicle, which disabled them from reaching the hospital sooner. He was pronounced dead shortly after admission to the Puttalam Hospital. It was the first death relating to the anti-Muslim violence.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-anti-muslim-riots-kill-one-despite-curfew/article27123419.ece
Buddhist mobs rampaged through at least 24 towns, looting and attacking Muslim properties with stones, swords and petrol bombs. (12th, 13th & 14th)
On 12 May, rioters destroyed and set houses and businesses on fire, and a vandalised a nearby mosque, after a Muslim man posted a comment on Facebook, that rioters mistook as a threat. The incident subsequently sparked more rioting in the wider region. (24 Mosques, 181 Houses, 100 Businesses, 58 vehicles – 1.197 Billion rupees lost)
https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/sri-lanka-fb-post-saying-dont-laugh-more-1-day-u-will-cry-triggers-anti-muslim-riots-mosque-vandalised/417901
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/sri-lanka-muslims-sinhala-neighbours-turned-190521064727363.html
Muslim girls were forced ti remove head covers in many schools in Ratnapura District.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/05/blog-post_662.html
Two unidentified men attacked a Mosque and two shops in the town of Horombawa
Two unidentified men attacked a Mosque and two shops in the town of Horombawa, located on the main road of Kuliyapitiya, Kurunegala this morning. This has caused minor damage to the Mosque and shops.
http://www.jaffnamuslim.com/2019/05/blog-post_582.html
Morethan 1000 Muslim refugees were evicted from their rented house in Negambo
On 9 May, more than 1,000 Muslim refugees were evicted from their rented houses in Negombo, after landlords feared that mobs would attack their properties. According to Daily Mirror, there were 844 refugees and 826 asylum seekers in the country, in 2018.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news-features/Refugees-become-refugees–again-in-Sri-Lanka/131-166701
Muslim teachers of a school were transferred to other schools for denying to wear Sari in Puwakpitiya.
On 9 May, 12 Muslim teachers of Puwakpitiya Tamil Maha Vidyalaya were transferred to other schools after they were chased away by parents. They wore the Abaya to school, and refused to wear the Sari. (incident took place on 7th May) Muslim teachers teaching at the Puwakpitti Tamil School in Avissawella have been forced to wear sarees. School administrators yesterday urged the Muslim teachers who had gone to the school to take part in the school day with Abhaya from the next day. The school administration and parents have taunted the teachers who wore color abaya in the absence of fasting today (07).
http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=55024
Mobs attacked Muslims-owned properties and looted jewelry, money and other items in several homes in Negaombo Town.
Violence has been reported in the Muslim-dominated areas in the Negombo town following the altercation on Sunday evening. During these disasters, a number of houses were attacked and property damaged while the curfew was implemented. Several vehicles were set ablaze and damaged during the incident. Periyamullai Lazarus Road, Periyamullai Chellakanda Road, Talupaththa, Calcuttuwe Road, Samagi Mawatha, several houses have been attacked and three wheelers and motorcycles have been attacked and damaged.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/05/curfew-imposed-religious-tension-rises-negombo-190506030720749.html
A group planted false evidence against a Muslim household in Mahawelgama
On 28 April 2019, six unidentified individuals were arrested after they were caught planting false evidence at a Muslim man’s house, when he was out for prayers. The group, who were not identified by news agencies, were in possession of explosives at the time of arrest.
http://www.adaderana.lk/news/54727/six-arrested-for-planting-false-evidence
Sameeha Restaurant in Periyamulla, Negombo was attacked by mobs.
Sameeha Restaurant located in Periyamulla, Negombo. The incident took place on Tuesday 23rd. This resulted in damage to the Sameha restaurant glasses. Further investigations are being carried out by the police.