On 25 July 1983 the Black July anti-Tamil riots spread to Welikada's Chapel Ward and around 35 Tamil prisoners were massacred by Sinhalese prisoners, aided and abetted by Sinhalese prison officers. Two days later armed Sinhalese prisoners broke into the Youth Ward and started attacking Tamil prisoners. Rajasundaram was dragged out of the cell and beaten to death. David and others managed to keep the attackers at bay until the Army arrived to disperse the attackers.