AMN
Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency in the country for seven days following violence against the minority community in Kandy district over the last two days.
The decision was taken in today’s cabinet meeting to prevent the spread of communal riots to other parts of the country.
The President’s Office, in a message, said the emergency was promulgated to redress the unsatisfactory security situation prevailing in certain parts of the country.
It said the police and armed forces have been suitably empowered to deal with criminal elements in the society and urgently restore normalcy.
Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said the government has decided to take stern action against those instigating violence through social media.
The decision comes as curfew was reimposed in two police divisions of Kandy district till tomorrow morning following tense situation.
Several houses and business establishments belonging to minority Muslim community were burnt while the body of a young man was found inside a burnt house today.
Police said that the special security arraignments put in place in the areas will continue and Special Task Force (STF) has been deployed to maintain peace.
This is the second such incident over past couple of weeks after Ampara in eastern province witnessed similar attacks last month.
