adminCOLOMBO. — Sri Lankan police clamped a fresh curfew on a Colombo neighbourhood yesterday, a day after a Buddhist-led mob vandalised a mosque in an incident that raised religious tensions and US concern. Police announced that a 13-hour curfew would be reimposed, starting at 6:00 pm across the residential and commercial areas of Grandpass district, which remained under tight security following Saturday’s attack that left four people wounded.
Witnesses reported scattered stone-throwing in the neighbourhood yesterday as authorities deployed more police and paramilitary commandos.
The government held lengthy talks with Muslim leaders and the clergy on both sides and announced what Technology Minister Champika Ranawaka described was a “just solution” acceptable to all sides.
Soldiers armed with automatic rifles were deployed at key junctions in the upscale area of the capital where the discussions were held after a day of tense clashes between Buddhist and Moslem mobs.
Local Buddhists had objected to the setting up of a mosque that replaced an older place of worship which the government had earmarked for demolition in line with city development work.
“The settlement we reached today is for the mosque to move back to its original position,” Ranawaka told reporters. The government rescinded an order that required the demolition of the old building, he added.
“Through a just solution, we have now peacefully solved the issue,” the minister said. Sri Lanka Muslim Council said it accepted the settlement.
However, hundreds of police enforced the night curfew in the area.
Muslim ministers in the ruling coalition, including Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem, said failure to take stern action against those responsible for similar attacks in the past had brought about a breakdown in law and order. — AFP.
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