In 1956, peaceful protest by Tamils in Colombo, against the Sinhala Only Act that was recently in passed by the parliament, was attacked by Sinhala mobs. Tamils followed this protest with a long march to Trincomalee and held a large meeting. At this meeting some demands were placed for the Sri Lankan government regarding equal status for Tamil language and re the development of Tamil areas. It was after this the Banda-Chelvanayagam pact was signed. This was quickly abrogated when the opposition party, the UNP, launched an anti-Tamil campaign. In May 1958, plans were ahead for one of the Tamil Political Party conference to be held in Vavuniya. Tamils travelling by train from Batticaloa and Amparai for the conference were attacked by Sinhala mobs in Polonnaruwa. Following this incident, further violence against Tamils was let loose throughout the island.
Women were raped and Tamil property was damaged. A priest was burnt alive inside his Kathirvelayutha temple in Pananthura. The Sri Lankan government looked on as the violence against Tamils continued. Many Tamil homes were set alight. Babies were dropped in hot tar.
Well known journalist Tarzi Vittachchi wrote the famous book, Emergency 58, about this pogrom after he was expelled from the country.
More than 300 Tamils were killed in this pogrom.
