IO 



was closing time, about 5 o'clock. Coast Moor bazaars were 

 attacked that evening in the neighbourhood of Maradana and 

 particularly in Borella. This was the origin of the outbreak in 

 Colombo. There was no premeditation, and no organization. 

 Some of the rioters were arrested by the Police Superintendent, 

 Mr. Daniell, but they were released later on. This had a bad 

 effect. 



7. Tuesday, June 1st. 



On June ist general looting of Coast Moor bazaars com- 

 menced in Colombo. Shops belonging to the Ceylon Moors 

 were not touched. The smashing up of these bazaars was 

 carried on in broad daylight in the streets of the city. This was 

 done under the eyes of the police. Police constables stood by, 

 making no attempt to stop the rioters or arrest them. Street 

 boys and women carried away the loot from the bazaars, that 

 were broken open by the men, who did not themselves carry 

 away the articles. In many streets of the city it was the same. 

 Police officers and constables looked on while the Coast Moor- 

 men were being despoiled of their goods. Even at Hultsdorp, 

 where the Courts were sitting, the bazaars were being looted, 

 and no notice of it was taken by the authorities. Hence an idea 

 gained ground that the Government did not wish to interfere. 



8. The disturbance developed into fierce and widespread 

 rioting in the course of the day. Meantime the habitual 

 criminals and the rowdies, swelled by a number of the unem- 

 ployed, consequent on the depression due to the war, took 

 advantage of the situation. They joined the riot and fanned it 

 for loot and pillage. Most of the excesses were committed by 

 them. In a great measure the bazaar rumours that arose are 

 attributable to them, as it was their object that lawlessness 

 should continue. 



9. The rioters carried no lethal weapons nor firearms. 

 Crowbars for breaking open the bazaars that had been closed, 

 sticks, brick-bats, and stones were used. There were fierce 

 fights between the Sinhalese rioters and the Moors in different 

 parts of Colombo, in which people were injured. In Wolfendhal,, 

 Kuruwe Street, Old Moor Street, New Moor Street, Hill Street, 

 Ferry Street, parts of the city principally tenanted by the Moors, 



