Nationwide curfew clamped in Lanka as violence spreads

Colombo, May 13 

The Sri Lankan authorities on Monday enforced a six-hour countrywide curfew as communal violence spread to new areas in the island nation in the latest fallout from the Easter Sunday suicide bombings, which killed nearly 260 people. 

“The curfew has been imposed from 9 p.m. tonight to 4 a.m. tomorrow,” a police spokesperson said.       Army chief Mahesh Senanayake said the troops have been instructed to deal very strictly with those who defy the curfew.  The army will shoot on sight if anyone defy the order, he added.

Earlier in the day, the police reimposed a curfew, few hours after it was lifted, on four towns of Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya, Dummalasuriya and Hettipola in the north western region till 4 am tomorrow following a communal clash in the area. 

It was later extended to the entire North Western Province as violence continued to spread.b Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also appealed for calm after the unrest broke out, especially in Kurunegala district targeting Muslims, and appealed to the public not to be swayed by false information.

"I appeal to all citizens to remain calm and not be swayed by false information. — PTI