Colombo, March 8 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lankan Police, on Thursday said 81 people, including the main suspect, had been arrested for triggering deadly communal clashes in Kandy, in the central hills of the island country.
Police said, the 81 had been arrested since clashes broke out on Sunday night. This included the main suspect who was arrested by a special police team on Thursday morning.
“We have arrested the main suspect along with nine others. A thorough probe will be conducted and tight security will remain in place throughout the district,” a police official told newsin.asia.
Out of the 81, 71 suspects were arrested on charges of violent incidents, while 4 were arrested for violating the curfew and 6 were arrested for causing communal disharmony through social media.
Police said the curfew which had been lifted on Thursday morning would be re-imposed on Thursday evening as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. The curfew will remain in place till Friday morning.
Deadly communal clashes erupted in Kandy, on Sunday evening after a 41-year-old man succumbed to his injuries after being attacked by a group of people on Feb 22.
Police Spokesman, SP Ruwan Gunasekara said 24 people had been arrested over the killing.
The violence has left several homes, shops, temples and mosques burnt and damaged.
Meanwhile Muslims in Colombo staged a protest opposite the Fort Railway station, condemning the ongoing violence and called on the government to end anti Muslim clashes.
Protesters demanded for action against the perpetrators and urged on the government to protect the rights of the minorities.
