Sri Lankan police have arrested two army corporals for their suspected involvement in anti-Muslim riots in the central highlands district of Kandy last month, police said on Tuesday.

It was the first arrest of serving soldiers for the worst sectarian violence since 2014. It was not immediately clear if any more senior officers are suspected. At least two ex-military officials have also been arrested.&nbsp

Scores of mosques, Muslim homes and businesses were destroyed as Buddhist mobs ran amok for three days early last month in Kandy, a district previously known for its diversity and tolerance.&nbsp

An officer at the police spokesman's office told Reuters 342 suspects have been arrested. The corporals were arrested on Monday.

Muslims comprise about nine percent of Sri Lanka's population of 21 million. Buddhists make up about 70 percent and Hindus about 13 percent.

The government ended a full-blown 26-year civil war by defeating mostly Hindu Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels in 2009, with claims of atrocities on both sides.

Muslims comprise about nine percent of Sri Lanka's population of 21 million

Sri Lankan police have arrested two army corporals for their suspected involvement in anti-Muslim riots in the central highlands district of Kandy last month, police said on Tuesday. It was the first arrest of serving soldiers for the worst sectarian violence since 2014. It was not immediately clear if any more senior officers are suspected. At least two ex-military officials have also been arrested. Scores of mosques, Muslim homes and businesses were destroyed as Buddhist mobs ran amok for three days early last month in Kandy, a district previously known for its diversity and tolerance. An officer at the police spokesman's office told Reuters 342 suspects have been arrested. The corporals were arrested on Monday. Muslims comprise about nine percent of Sri Lanka's population of 21 million. Buddhists make up about 70 percent and Hindus about 13 percent. The government ended a full-blown 26-year civil war by defeating mostly Hindu Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels in 2009, with claims of atrocities on both sides.

Sri Lankan corporals arrested on anti-Muslim riot charges

As the Lanka<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/vandals-attack-muslim-owned-restaurant-in-sri-lanka-35395"> continues to grapple with riot-hit Kandy</a>, Jeffrey Feltman who was on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka condemned the anti-Muslim violence in the island country.

Feltman <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-buddhist-monks-denounce-anti-muslim-riots-35264">condemned the &quot;breakdown in law</a> and order&quot; and the &quot;attacks against Muslims and their property,&quot; a UN statement said.

Feltman met Muslim leaders during his visit and urged the Lankan government to bring the perpetrators of the violence and hate speech to justice.

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs also requested the government to take measures to prevent recurrence of violence in the region, and to enforce &quot;non-discriminatory rule of law.&quot;

On Sunday, vandals had targetted a Muslim-owned restaurant in Anamaduwa -- 130 kilometres north of the capital Colombo.

Police is investigating the attack as a possible &quot;hate crime&quot;.

Volence erupted in Kandy a fortnight ago between hardline Buddhists and the local Muslims after the Buddhists accused the Muslims of forceful conversion.

Hundreds of Buddhist monks and activists staged demonstrations in Colombo on Friday, denouncing violence and urging authorities to punish those responsible.

Nearly 150 people were arrested over the violence, police said, including the suspected leader Amith Weerasinghe, a Sinhalese known for anti-Muslim activism and outspoken social media posts.

 
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Feltman met Muslim leaders during his visit and urged the Lankan government to bring the perpetrators of the violence and hate speech to justice

As the Lanka continues to grapple with riot-hit Kandy, Jeffrey Feltman who was on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka condemned the anti-Muslim violence in the island country. Feltman condemned the "breakdown in law and order" and the "attacks against Muslims and their property," a UN statement said. Feltman met Muslim leaders during his visit and urged the Lankan government to bring the perpetrators of the violence and hate speech to justice. The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs also requested the government to take measures to prevent recurrence of violence in the region, and to enforce "non-discriminatory rule of law." On Sunday, vandals had targetted a Muslim-owned restaurant in Anamaduwa -- 130 kilometres north of the capital Colombo. Police is investigating the attack as a possible "hate crime". Volence erupted in Kandy a fortnight ago between hardline Buddhists and the local Muslims after the Buddhists accused the Muslims of forceful conversion. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and activists staged demonstrations in Colombo on Friday, denouncing violence and urging authorities to punish those responsible. Nearly 150 people were arrested over the violence, police said, including the suspected leader Amith Weerasinghe, a Sinhalese known for anti-Muslim activism and outspoken social media posts.

Enforce 'non-discriminatory' rule of law: UN to Sri Lanka

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Sri Lankan corporals arrested on anti-Muslim riot charges

Enforce 'non-discriminatory' rule of law: UN to Sri Lanka