Sri Lanka military says situation totally under control following violent clashes

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-15 18:39:56|Editor: Shi Yinglun
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COLOMBO, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lanka military on Wednesday said the situation in the country was totally under control, after violent clashes erupted in several areas of the island on Monday, killing one.

A military official told Xinhua that security remained heightened in the North Western province and the Gampaha Distict in the outskirts of the capital Colombo, which were affected by the violence on Monday, but there had been no incidents reported on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A curfew was imposed in the affected areas from time to time since Monday while a countrywide curfew was also imposed for two consecutive nights.

The curfews were lifted on Wednesday morning.

Police said over 60 people were arrested over the clashes and several were being questioned by the criminal investigations department.

The army have also sought public assistance to identify some of the perpetrators involved.

Several mosques, shops and houses were damaged and burnt in the clashes which erupted after over 500 mobs took to the streets on Monday morning.

The government has assured the safety of all communities and has warned of stern action against anyone spreading racism.

Fears of ethnic violence have been growing in Sri Lanka following the terror attacks on April 21, which killed over 250 people and injured 500 others.

A local radical group, named the National Thawheed Jammath, has been blamed for the Easter attacks.

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