Fifteen people sustained injuries and 16 year-old disabled student, R Nirmala is in a serious condition. Around 2,000 people have been made homeless. The attacks began after two Sinhalese people were killed on 8 September on an estate in an illicit liquor trade dispute. Three Tamil youths were taken into custody suspected of involvement in the murders. One person was arrested in connection with the attacks on the estates and later released on bail.
Trade unions say a government politician is behind the attacks.
Plantations minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has promised an enquiry into the incidents. Arbitrary arrests and detention in the Hill Country continue to be reported. According to Plantation Housing deputy minister P Chandrasekaran, many plantation youths arrested, were detained for several months and then released without charge.