Blog Archives

  May we pass brother? – By Niranjan Selvadurai Context: It was Monday the 25th of July 1983. This date signifies the first day of unrest and turmoil in Sri Lanka, later to be known as “Black July”. By early afternoon the city of Colombo was burning. The mobs were holding sway on city the streets. Public transport was at a stand-still. The writer and a friend set off in a car from the central business district Fort. Their intention is to convey a group of girls who had come to work, to their respective homes.  At some point near Town Hall, the car is unable to proceed as the street is obstructed by a group of men. The writer steps out of car speaks to person closest to the vehicle in Sinhala. Photo by Chandragupta Amarasinghe May we pass brother? But are you one of us! Or someone other? ...