In a sobering reflection of how old prejudices continue to shadow modern Sri Lanka, Robert Rajeswaran—better known behind the turntables as DJ Rob R—says he is shutting down his newly launched Indian restaurant, Tiffins, in the southern coastal town of Ahangama following weeks of intimidation, death threats, and physical assault from locals.
The decision has left the 30-something artist questioning whether a Tamil entrepreneur can feel truly safe in a Sinhala-majority area, even 16 years after the end of the civil war. His experience serves as a stark reminder of the unseen barriers that Tamil and diaspora professionals continue to face when attempting to invest, live, or build businesses beyond the familiar borders of the North and East.
From Child Refugee to International DJ
Robert Rajeswaran was born in Jaffna at the height of Sri Lanka's civil war. He fled the country as a child refugee at age six or seven and resettled in London, where he built a successful career in technology while nurturing a deep passion for music shaped by the pulsating rhythms of R&B, hip-hop, and dancehall.
His global journey as a DJ took him to festivals and underground scenes worldwide, where he honed his craft at DJ schools in Singapore and Barcelona. Specializing in a fusion of Afro, tribal, and Indian house music, Rob R captivates audiences with sets that weave ethnic vocals and traditional sounds into contemporary electronic beats—drawing inspiration from South African icon Black Coffee's elevation of Afro House.
His innovative approach includes performing in unconventional locations such as rice fields, buses, and beaches, content that has earned him over 45,000 followers on Instagram, positioning him as an ambassador for cultural fusion through music.
A Bold Return Home
Barely two years ago, at age 28, Rajeswaran made a life-changing decision: abandoning a stable British life to return to Sri Lanka, driven by an affection for his homeland that refused to fade with distance or the passage of time.
But rather than returning to his native Jaffna, he chose Ahangama—a bustling coastal enclave in the Southern Province renowned for its surf beaches and steady influx of foreign tourists.
"Despite having every comfort in the UK, his love for Sri Lanka was unbreakable," recounted a close friend who visited him in February this year.
In Ahangama, Rajeswaran immersed himself in music, performing at virtually every major restaurant, bar, and club across the southern coast. His gigs also extended internationally—to Jaffna, Goa, Chennai, Dhaka, and Singapore.
But his entrepreneurial drive went beyond the DJ console. Spotting a gap in the local dining scene—with no South Indian eatery amid Ahangama's diverse global cuisines—he opened Tiffins with a friend just a few months ago.
During that February visit, his friend captured Rajeswaran's excitement on video. "We talked for hours," the friend shared. "He was so passionate about bringing authentic flavors to a place that needed them."
From Optimism to Ordeal
That passion, however, has turned to peril. In a Facebook post, Rajeswaran announced the restaurant's permanent closure, citing relentless racist intimidation.
"Yesterday at Tiffins in Ahangama, I was racially abused and threatened my life, to slit my throat by a local man after I refused to give him money," Rajeswaran wrote. "Sadly, this isn't the first time—similar incidents have happened before—targeted for being the only Tamil-owned business in Ahangama."
The harassment has included repeated extortion attempts, with one local thug grabbing Rajeswaran by the throat and vowing to kill him when refused payment. On Diwali, he was ordered not to play Tamil music and told to "go back to Jaffna." The war-era epithet "Tamil Tiger" and "terrorist" have been hurled at him repeatedly.
"Blackmailing, life threats, and racial abuse happen very frequently," he wrote.
Police Fail to Act
When concerned followers asked about police intervention, Rajeswaran revealed he had made multiple visits to local authorities, but they had "refused to do anything to secure our safety."
Left with no effective protection, he said he had no choice but to prioritize staff safety over his business dreams. "But after repeated racist attacks and threats, I no longer feel safe—for myself or for my staff. Because of this, Tiffins may soon be closing. It breaks my heart to do this, but I need to protect my team and take a step back."
"I Was Born Here and I'm Ready to Die Here"
Despite the trauma, Rajeswaran says he still believes in Sri Lanka's potential for reconciliation and unity.
"For those who don't know, I fled Jaffna, Sri Lanka, as a child refugee during the war and returned years later because I wanted to come back home—to rebuild, to live peacefully, and to move forward from the violent history our country has endured. I'm still healing from all the past trauma," he wrote.
"I opened Tiffins with my friend with love, wanting to celebrate Sri Lankan and South Indian culture and to show that our food, music, and people can unite us beyond race or religion."
He added: "I've always spoken positively about Sri Lanka—about its beauty, its people, and its potential to heal. I still believe in that vision. This is still my country, and no one can take it away from me. I was born here and I'm ready to die here."
"I'm sharing this because racism is real here, and silence won't fix it. I hope we can discuss it openly, with empathy, and build a country where everyone feels safe and belongs. Please don't take this as an attack or as me playing the victim. I really don't have any other options to share my story."
His statement concluded with a simple message: "There is no place for hate. Only love."
A Betrayal of Diaspora Dreams
The friend who visited Rajeswaran in February expressed profound disillusionment with what has transpired.
"As a tourist, the South always seemed welcoming—everyone appeared kind," the diaspora businessman told Jaffna Monitor. "But I don't think this is solely a business rivalry. Three-quarters of Ahangama's tourist establishments are foreign-owned, and nobody seems to have a problem with that. Robert's restaurant, after all, is a South Indian outlet—and there isn't another South Indian restaurant there."
He questioned the safety of diaspora investments in such regions, echoing growing unease among Tamil communities abroad. "We grew up witnessing their hate," he said. "But for someone who left at the age of six or seven, built a life abroad, and returned out of pure love for his country—this is devastating."
He added thoughtfully: "Something needs to change in our collective mindset. Everyone should have the right to do business anywhere—whether it's a Tamil in Ahangama or a Sinhalese in Jaffna."
