Where the Fire Entered

A prayer cap lies among burnt remains after anti-Muslim violence in Sri Lanka.

A man passes through a damaged building where fire has left its mark on the walls and floor.

inside a damaged mosque, the carpet is lifted and reset as the space is slowly made usable again.

The Noor Jummah Mosque in Digana was among the religious sites affected during the March 2018 violence in the Kandy District. The mosque and surrounding Muslim properties were attacked and damaged, becoming part of a wider wave of communal unrest that spread across Digana and nearby Teldeniya.

Anti-Muslim Violence: 2014 - Aluthgama

The anti-Muslim attacks in Aluthgama, Sri Lanka, occurred on June 15, 2014. These attacks involved a series of violent incidents targeting Muslim businesses, homes, and places of worship in the coastal town of Aluthgama and nearby Beruwala. Many people were injured in the violence.

A Muslim woman shows the phone recording how her house was set on fire during the clashes that took place in the Aluthgama riots.

Anti-Muslim Violence: 2014 - Aluthgama

After the attack on Muslim homes in Seenawatta, Dharga Town, Aluthgama, children play with paper boats in rainwater outside their home.

"We're going to Australia," they say,

Imagining a village afar,

Reborn like the old one,

In lands untouched by ash.

Paper boats drift slowly,

Rain washes Aluthgama

Dreams sail far from home

Anti-Muslim Violence: 2014 – Aluthgama

Thunduwu, a small Muslim village near the town of Beruwala, was among the areas affected during the attacks. Following the violence, this photograph shows burnt household belongings and images of the affected residents, capturing the aftermath of destruction and displacement.

Anti-Muslim Violence: 2014 – Aluthgama

The riots left many in emotional distress, with the aftermath marked by displacement, damaged property, and an ongoing sense of fear among affected residents.

Digana/Teldeniya in March 2018
Anti-Muslim violence initially erupted in Digana. Subsequently, it spread to other areas in the Kandy district, such as Teldeniya, Pallekalle, Katugastota, and Akurana.

In March 2018, mob violence occurred in several areas along an east-to-west arc, located 5 to 20 kilometers north of Kandy, including Hatharaliyadda and Tumpane. The violence began in Medadumbara, spread to Kundasale on the second day, and then to Patha Dumbara on the following day. By the fourth day, it had reached Pujapitiya, Harispattuwa, Akurana, and Yatinuwara.

The violence resulted in at least two deaths, property damage to numerous Muslim-owned homes, shops, and businesses, including house burning and shop looting, and attacks on several mosques. Many families were displaced, seeking safer areas, with 17 mosques, 289 houses, 217 businesses, and 82 vehicles destroyed.

Digana/Teldeniya in March 2018
Anti-Muslim violence initially erupted in Digana. Subsequently, it spread to other areas in the Kandy district, such as Teldeniya, Pallekalle, Katugastota, and Akurana.

In March 2018, mob violence occurred in several areas along an east-to-west arc, located 5 to 20 kilometers north of Kandy, including Hatharaliyadda and Tumpane. The violence began in Medadumbara, spread to Kundasale on the second day, and then to Patha Dumbara on the following day. By the fourth day, it had reached Pujapitiya, Harispattuwa, Akurana, and Yatinuwara.

The violence resulted in at least two deaths, property damage to numerous Muslim-owned homes, shops, and businesses, including house burning and shop looting, and attacks on several mosques. Many families were displaced, seeking safer areas, with 17 mosques, 289 houses, 217 businesses, and 82 vehicles destroyed.

Digana/Teldeniya in March 2018
Anti-Muslim violence initially erupted in Digana. Subsequently, it spread to other areas in the Kandy district, such as Teldeniya, Pallekalle, Katugastota, and Akurana.

In March 2018, mob violence occurred in several areas along an east-to-west arc, located 5 to 20 kilometers north of Kandy, including Hatharaliyadda and Tumpane. The violence began in Medadumbara, spread to Kundasale on the second day, and then to Patha Dumbara on the following day. By the fourth day, it had reached Pujapitiya, Harispattuwa, Akurana, and Yatinuwara.

The violence resulted in at least two deaths, property damage to numerous Muslim-owned homes, shops, and businesses, including house burning and shop looting, and attacks on several mosques. Many families were displaced, seeking safer areas, with 17 mosques, 289 houses, 217 businesses, and 82 vehicles destroyed.

Digana/Teldeniya in March 2018
Anti-Muslim violence initially erupted in Digana. Subsequently, it spread to other areas in the Kandy district, such as Teldeniya, Pallekalle, Katugastota, and Akurana.

In March 2018, mob violence occurred in several areas along an east-to-west arc, located 5 to 20 kilometers north of Kandy, including Hatharaliyadda and Tumpane. The violence began in Medadumbara, spread to Kundasale on the second day, and then to Patha Dumbara on the following day. By the fourth day, it had reached Pujapitiya, Harispattuwa, Akurana, and Yatinuwara.

The violence resulted in at least two deaths, property damage to numerous Muslim-owned homes, shops, and businesses, including house burning and shop looting, and attacks on several mosques. Many families were displaced, seeking safer areas, with 17 mosques, 289 houses, 217 businesses, and 82 vehicles destroyed.

Gintota in November 2017

Gintota is a suburb town located in Galle District, southern Sri Lanka. 

The Sri Lankan government reported significant damage from anti-Muslim attacks in Gintota in 2017, resulting in the destruction of over 60 homes, shops, and vehicles, at least 5 injuries, and the temporary displacement of many Muslim families from their homes. 

Gintota in November 2017

Gintota is a suburb town located in Galle District, southern Sri Lanka. 

The Sri Lankan government reported significant damage from anti-Muslim attacks in Gintota in 2017, resulting in the destruction of over 60 homes, shops, and vehicles, at least 5 injuries, and the temporary displacement of many Muslim families from their homes.