Colombo, March 6 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lankan Police, on Tuesday re-imposed a curfew in parts of Kandy, in Central Sri Lanka after violent mobs took to the streets on Monday burning homes and businesses in the latest spate of communal violence to hit the island country.
A Police official told newsin.asia the curfew would remain in place till Monday evening and would be lifted only if the situation returns to normal.
A curfew had been imposed since Monday evening but was lifted on Tuesday at 6am.
The police official said tight security remained in place across the Kandy district while schools and businesses also remained closed.
The Sri Lankan government, in a statement, strongly condemned the violence in Kandy and warned to take stern action against those inciting racism.
The government also condemned the hate and ‘mischievous misinformation’ campaigns carried out on social media, with the clear objective of creating disharmony among communities and inciting violence.
“The Government urges every citizen of Sri Lanka to desist from falling prey to such hate and misinformation campaigns. As a country that had suffered by acts of violence for nearly three decades, we as a nation should desist from repetition of such,” Director General of Government information, Sudarshana Gunawardhana said.
“The government will not hesitate to take firm and stem action against perpetrators of crimes, and those who violate the law and order,” Gunawardhana added.
Violence erupted in Kandy on Monday when mobs clashed on the streets causing severe unrest and leading to shops and homes being burnt and damaged.
Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekere said the clashes had erupted in Digana town in Kandy on Sunday night after a 41-year-old man succumbed to his injuries after being attacked by a group of people on Feb 22.
Gunasekara said 24 people had been arrested over the killing so far. Out of the 24, 10 were directly involved in the killing of the victim while 14 people were arrested on suspicion.
