Sri Lanka: Over 200 arrested over communal clashes in Kandy

Event

Over 230 people have been arrested in central Sri Lanka's Kandy district since early March, when deadly clashes broke out between Muslim and Buddhist communities. A relative calm has since returned to Kandy, leading to the lifting of the curfew on March 10; this calm continues as of Monday, March 12. However, tight security measures will likely remain in place in the coming few days across the district. The prime minister visited Kandy over the weekend (March 10-11) to meet with victims of the violence - which left three dead - and assess the damages (e.g. over 400 houses, business establishments, religious sites, and vehicles destroyed).

Context

On March 6, a week-long nationwide state of emergency was enacted to prevent the violence from spreading to other areas of the country.

Advice

Individuals present in Sri Lanka, notably Kandy, should exercise caution, avoid protests and rallies, and follow any instructions or advice issued by local authorities.