Clashes in Colombo

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, MAY 4. Curfew was declared today in the island's western province, including Colombo, where Muslims clashed with police at several places. Police said seven people were injured in the clashes. Police fired tear-gas to disperse mobs as they attacked shops and vehicles in parts of the city. The central commercial district of Maradana was badly hit.

The incidents followed communal violence in Mawanella, a town in central Sri Lanka, earlier this week.

The Minister for Information and Media, Mr Anura Priyadarsha Yapa, while appealing for calm, said the incidents were the handiwork of those who wanted to trigger religious riots. He warned the arsonists that strict action would be taken against them.

The State-run Daily News reported today that a CID probe had begun into the circumstances that led to the clashes at Mawanella.

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Section  : International
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