Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy

Sri Lanka declares state of emergency for 10 days after anti-Muslim attacks in Kandy

Context:

On 6th March, 2018, Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency for 10 days, to curb heightening violence targeting the island’s Muslim minority.

What has happened?

• Riots were triggered by the death of a 41-year-old man from the majority Sinhalese community after he was beaten up by a mob, reportedly Muslims, following a road rage incident.
• After the incident, anti-Muslim attacks had taken place in Kandy, located in Sri Lanka’s Central Province.
• Several mosques, shops and homes were set to fire and destroyed over the last few days
• This had prompted the police to impose a curfew in the town since the afternoon of 6th March

Government Response:

The government decided to declare a state of emergency for 10 days to prevent the spread of communal riots