81 arrested over communal clashes in central Sri Lanka

A total of 81 people, including the main suspect, had been arrested for triggering deadly communal clashes in Sri Lanka's central Kandy region, police said Thursday.

"We have arrested the main suspect along with nine others. A thorough probe will be conducted and tight security will remain in place throughout the district," a police official told Xinhua.

Out of the 81 suspects, 71 were arrested on charges of violent incidents, while 4 were arrested for violating the curfew and 6 arrested for causing communal disharmony through social media.

Police said the curfew which had been lifted on Thursday morning would be re-imposed on Thursday evening as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. The curfew will remain in place till Friday morning.

Deadly communal clashes erupted in Kandy on Sunday evening after a 41-year-old man succumbed to his injuries after being attacked by a group of people on Feb 22.

The violence has left several homes, shops, temples and mosques burnt and damaged.

Due to the escalation of violence, President Maithripala Siriena on Tuesday declared a week-long nationwide state of emergency, the first since the country ended a civil war in 2009.

In a nationwide address, the president appealed for calm and peace and warned of "stern action" against anyone spreading violence and rumors with the intention of provoking communal violence.