60 arrested over recent violence

More than 60 people were arrested in connection with the violence in the North-Western Province and in Minuwangoda, 33 of them were remanded, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said today.

He said nine suspects who were found to have been directly involved in violence and remanded till May 27 after being produced in the Hettipola Magistrate's Court, while 10 more suspects were remanded till May 27 after being produced in the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate's Court.

The remaining 14 suspects were arrested in Minuwangoda and remanded till May 29 after being produced in the Minuwangoda Magistrate's Court.

Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested in Matara on charges of inciting racism via social media platforms. They were also remanded till May 27.

SP Gunasekera said police and tri-forces personnel were deployed in the areas where tension prevailed and that they had been instructed to take strict action against the lawbreakers.

Several shops, houses and religious places were damaged when mobs attacked them and were set ablaze in several areas in the North Western Province and in Minuwangoda. An individual was reported to have been killed during the violence. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Tony Karunanayake)