Page 51 - RASAS 2025

10 Ruhuna Arts Student’s Annual Sessions (RASAS) -2025
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Post–Easter Sunday Attack Realities: Challenges Faced by Muslim-Owned
Businesses in Sri Lanka

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A.S.F. Sara , N.M.P. Silva , Y.A.S.D. Ranasinghe
*1
Department of Sociology, University of Ruhuna
sarahshaa1729@gmail.com
ABSTRACT

The Easter Sunday Attacks of 2019 can be identified as an escalated incident in Sri Lanka that marked a
significant turning point in its socio-economic context, causing widespread fear, insecurity and disruptions.
Among the most affected groups, the Muslim business community faced unique challenges that remain

underexplored in academic literature. This study applies the theoretical lens of social stigma and conflict
perspectives to explore the challenges encountered by Muslim entrepreneurs in the Matara District during the
aftermath of the attacks. The research problem centers on understanding how ethnically framed violence

transforms into long-term challenges for Muslim-owned businesses. This research was conducted using a
qualitative approach and the data were collected from Muslim business owners in the Grama Niladhari
divisions of Kadeweediya South, Kadeweediya West, Kadeweediya East, and Kotuwegoda North, all which

function under the Matara Divisional Secretariat. A purposive sampling method was used to select twenty
Muslim entrepreneurs who have experienced the firsthand consequences of the attack. The study used in-depth

interviews and focus group discussions as the primary data collection methods, and the data were analyzed
using thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes. The initial findings revealed significant economic
and social consequences, including financial losses due to consumer boycotts and discrimination. Moreover,

the social stigma attached to the community and the anger towards the Muslims have led to a decline in
customer trust. Beyond the economic challenges, the findings also revealed the social impacts faced by Muslim

business owners and employees, including psychological distress, social isolation, fear and anxiety. This study
concludes by providing recommendations for mitigating these challenges by implementing policies such as
community integration programs, improving interfaith dialogues to rebuild trust among communities,

encouraging media campaigns that promote harmony and challenge stereotypes and target business support
schemes. This research contributes valuable insights into the post-Easter Sunday challenges faced by Muslim
entrepreneurs in the Matara District of Sri Lanka and provides a foundation for future studies on the socio-

economic impacts of religious and ethnic conflicts on businesses.

Keywords: Easter Sunday Attack, economic challenges, Muslim businesses, post-conflict, social
discrimination

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