Sri Lanka re-imposes curfew in central district following racial violence

COLOMBO, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police on Tuesday re-imposed a curfew in parts of Kandy, in central Sri Lanka after violent mobs took to the streets on Monday burning homes and businesses in the latest spate of racial violence.

A police official told Xinhua the curfew would remain in place till Tuesday 6:00 p.m.. The curfew was imposed on Monday evening and lifted on Tuesday morning, but was re-imposed due to a threat of violence erupting again.

The police official said tight security remained in place across the Kandy district while schools and businesses also remained closed.

The Sri Lankan government, in a statement, strongly condemned the violence in Kandy and warned to take stern action against those inciting racism.

The government also condemned the hate and "mischievous misinformation" campaigns carried out on social media, with the clear objective of creating disharmony among communities and inciting violence.

"The Government urges every citizen of Sri Lanka to desist from falling prey to such hate and misinformation campaigns. As a country that had suffered by acts of violence for nearly three decades, we as a nation should desist from repetition of such," Director General of Government Information Department Sudarshana Gunawardhana said. Enditem