Man killed in Sri Lanka anti-Muslim riots as mobs attack mosques and shops
- Police fire tear gas at crowds and impose curfew after worst outbreak of sectarian violence in country since Easter Sunday bombings
- Government blocks social media platforms, with one man beaten after dispute that allegedly started on Facebook
One person was killed in Sri Lanka on Monday as police fired tear gas at mobs attacking mosques and Muslim-owned shops and imposed a curfew after the worst outbreak of sectarian violence since the Easter bombings by Islamist militants.
The April 21 attacks, claimed by Islamic State, targeted churches and hotels, mostly in Colombo, killing more than 250 people and fuelling fears of a backlash against the island nation’s minority Muslims.
An officer at the Marawila hospital police said a 42-year old man admitted to the hospital with stab wounds had died. A Resident from the area who helped transport the victim to hospital identified him as Mohamed Ameer Mohamed Sally.
Residents in Muslim parts of North Western Province said mobs had attacked mosques and damaged shops and businesses owned by Muslims for a second day.
“There are hundreds of rioters, police and army are just watching. They have burned our mosques and smashed many shops owned by Muslims,” a resident of Kottampitiya area said over the phone, asking not to be identified for fear of reprisals.
