ig. It will thus be seen these riots were confined to the 

 working and labouring- classes of the Sinhalese, and sprang- up 

 suddenly in different parts of the country, without any previous 

 organization. As the Governor reported to the Colonial Office 

 (Reuter, June 7th), the outbreak was anti-Moslem, and was not 

 directed against the Government nor against the Europeans. 

 So far is this true that up to date not a single Government 

 official has been attacked nor the military injured. 



Extract from 

 "The Ceylon Morning Leader ," June gth, IQIS. 



Reuter, by Submarine Telegraph (Copyright). 



Received June 8th. 



COLONIAL OFFICE STATEMENT. 



London, June 7th, 10.30 p.m. 



The Colonial Office reports that there has been anti-Moslem 

 rioting in various parts of Ceylon by the Buddhists. Moslem shops 

 in Kandy have been looted. Martial law has been proclaimed in 

 several districts. The Governor reports that the disorder is due to 

 a sudden outbreak of racial and commercial animosity, and is 

 not directed against the European population or the Government. 

 Much Moslem merchandise has been destroyed and numerous 

 murders have been committed. Several rioters have been shot. The 

 latest news is that the situation is improving. 



European Town Guards in the execution of their duty were 

 favourably received by the villagers. The riots were " racial," 

 as indicated in the statement by the Government, but only in 

 a limited sense. They were partially religious, a fact which was 

 unfortunately not realised by the Government. The gentry, the 

 educated and middle-classes of the Sinhalese people, whatever 

 their faith, had absolutely no connection nor sympathy with 

 the rioters. Many instances were to be found among the Sin- 

 halese gentry (as among humbler folk) of those who risked their 

 own lives to shield Muhammadans and their wives and families 

 during the fiercest hours of the outbreak. 



20. By assertion of authority, though belated, order had 

 been virtually restored by about June 5th. The rioters dispersed 

 at Colombo on June 2nd, and the country districts were quiet 

 by the 5th. Martial law was suddenly proclaimed in the Western 

 Province on June 2nd, and in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, 

 and North- Western Provinces on June 3rd ; in the Province of 



