Colombo, Sri Lanka

A day after police arrested people in a district in Sri Lanka due to riots, authorities imposed a nationwide curfew on Monday night.

Advertisment

Sri Lanka has been on edge since the April 21st Easter bombings in churches. Last week the blast scarred St. Anthony's Church reopened even as restoration work continued.

"The curfew has been imposed from 9pm, tonight to 4am tomorrow," a police spokesperson said.

Army chief Mahesh Senanayake said the troops have been instructed to deal very strictly with those who defy the curfew. The army will shoot on sight if anyone defy the order, he added.

Advertisment

The authorities allowed Sunday mass to go ahead after postponing it several times fearing renewed attacks. However, there were no services at St Sebastian's Church in Negambo, where at least 102 people died.

Police said a six-hour nationwide night curfew had been imposed after riots spread to several areas in northern Sri Lanka.

Advertisment

More than 250 people were killed and nearly 500 wounded as terrorists targeted churches and hotels across the emerald island during Easter celebration in Sri Lanka last months.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had said last week that investigators had dismantled a major part of the network linked to the bombings, but warned the chance of further attacks could not be ruled out.

In the latest incident on Sunday, miscreants targeted mosques and stores in Sri Lanka's west coast in Chilaw after a Facebook post created a controversy leading to stone-throwing by a group of men. Police immediately moved in and imposed a curfew.

Later curfew was reimposed in four other towns in northwestern region in Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola, Bingiriya and Dummalasuriya. The Lankan authorities also temporarily blocked social media networks and instant messaging apps in order to maintain peace.

The curfew was later extended across the island, police said in a statement.

PM Wickremesinghe in an address to the nation said the military has been asked to quell the anti-Muslim riot and urged public cooperation to the security forces to bring the situation under control.

"The security forces have been given full powers to deal with those who violate the state of emergency and the islandwide curfew," he said.

He also appealed for calm urged the public not to be swayed by false information.

"I appeal to all citizens to remain calm and not be swayed by false information. Security forces are working tirelessly to apprehend terrorists and ensure the security of the country, but each time there is civil unrest, we increase their burden and hamper ongoing investigations," he said.