Twenty years on - riots that led to war
By Frances Harrison
BBC correspondent in Colombo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3090111.stm

Twenty years ago, this week, saw the outbreak of anti-Tamil riots in
the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo that changed the course of the
nation's history

The riots, triggered by the killing of a group of soldiers in the
Tamil
The riots targeted Colombo's Tamil citizens

north of the island, led directly to the outbreak of civil war.
The riots targeted Colombo's Tamil citizens

"In the lane there were about 50 to 75 people in a mob carrying all
kinds of sticks and clubs and knives," recounts Shanthi
Sachithanandam.

"They were shouting; it was like the sound of an ocean, a chilling
sound" she says.

Shanthi got away in the nick of time while the mob banged on the car.

"Is there a Tamil inside? " they shouted.