Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake said that the Sri Lankan military is prepared to use maximum force against nationalist groups who attack innocent Muslim citizens.
"I am warning those who go around in motorcycles destroying properties of innocent people. The Army will use full force to end this. If necessary, the Army will use maximum force together with the other armed forces," the Army Chief said.
Meanwhile, Acting IGP Chandana Wickramaratne also warned that they would respond to those who instigate riots with maximum force during a televised address yesterday.
Island wide curfew was imposed last night after violence spread across towns in Kurunegala and Gampaha districts. Police had fired into the air and used tear gas to disperse unruly mobs.In the north-western town of Kiniyama, windows and doors to a mosque were smashed and copies of the Koran thrown on the floor.
The attack was triggered by a group of people demanding a search of the building after soldiers inspected a lake nearby looking for weapons, Reuters news agency reports.
The government said that security forces have restored calm to streets in the areas affected by violence and insist officers are preventing revenge attacks on Muslims.
Leave your comments
Login to post a comment
Post comment as a guest