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Sri Lankan soldiers patrol a street in Hettipola after attacking a mosque in nearby Kottampitiya village on May 14, 2019. REUTERS / Dinuka Liyanawatte

A Muslim man died on Tuesday morning, May 14, in riots against this community that have set northern Sri Lanka on fire since Sunday night. Authorities imposed a curfew Monday night throughout the island, and it is even in place during the day in the northern region where clashes took place. RFI was able to question the owner of a large factory totally destroyed by the attackers.

With our correspondent in New Delhi, Sébastien Farcis

A year ago, Ali Fawney opened a large pasta factory in Gampola, about 100 kilometers north of Colombo. Today, there is nothing left. Everything started in flames, after the attack of 200 violent and well organized men.

" They were advancing very fast and attacked the mosque and the shops run by Muslims," ​​he says. They knew very well where to go. They arrived in front of my factory with two trucks filled with tires. They set the tires on fire and put them under the machines. Seven of my employees were inside. They were frightened and fled through a window 7 meters high. Three were injured while jumping and are still in the hospital. "

This Muslim businessman estimates he lost 3.5 million euros in this rampage. But he remains hopeful that these extremists will not win.

" After the attacks on Easter Sunday, many accused all Muslims of being terrorists. Today, I do not want to fall into this same shortcut. I know that they are Sinhalese extremists who are trying to divide us. And that must not happen, "adds Ali Fawney.

A dozen people were arrested by the police, including a Buddhist extremist. Social networks are blocked and the curfew was imposed again this Tuesday night across the country.