COLOMBO, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Wednesday urged Sri Lankan authorities to take immediate action against perpetrators involved in communal violence and ensure appropriate measures are swiftly taken to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
The UN Office in Colombo said in a statement that it was concerned about the recent incidents of communal violence in the island country and condemned these acts in the strongest possible terms.
"The United Nations also urges authorities, and all citizens to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, human rights are protected, and security and safety is ensured for all," the UN Office said.
The Sri Lankan police on Wednesday extended a curfew for the third consecutive day in Kandy, in Central Sri Lanka, after mobs clashed on the streets resulting in two deaths and several injuries.
Police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said the curfew would stay in place till Thursday afternoon, while heavy security had been deployed throughout the district.
Eye witnesses in Kandy said several businesses, homes and mosques had been damaged and violence had spread into Akurana and Katugastota in the suburbs of Kandy.
Due to the escalation of violence, President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday declared a week-long, nationwide state of emergency, the first since the country ended a civil war in 2009.
In a national address, he appealed for calm and peace and warned of "stern action" against anyone spreading violence and rumors with the intention of provoking communal violence.
