The LTTE ambush that lead to the deaths of 13 Sri Lankan soldiers is often cited as the trigger for the riots of Black July. In addition to the burning down of thousands of Tamil houses, these riots took the lives of thousands of Tamils and led to the mass emigration of Tamils that now make up much of the diaspora community. These riots are generally believed to be the official beginning to the long endured civil war between Sinhala majority governments and Tamil separatist groups. Black July remains an issue that Sri Lankan political parties of both races continue to disagree on. Gayan Prageeth’s “Apperceiving 1983” dives head-first into this conflict and to memorialize and explore its implications today.