Curfew imposed to diffuse ethnic tension in Chilaw

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 November 2002, 17:42 GMT]
A twelve-hour dusk to dawn Police curfew has been imposed in Mundal, Marunthakuli and other eleven villages in the Chilaw division in the North Western Province Monday evening to diffuse tension between Muslims and Sinhalese. The curfew will be lifted Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., police sources said.

Muslims and Sinhalese in Mundal village clashed Saturday evening over a dispute between two drivers of three wheelers. At least ten houses belonging to Muslims were burnt down by a group of Sinhalese. Several sustained injuries, residents said.

Five special police teams have been dispatched to the area to arrest troublemakers, Interior Ministry sources said. The Chilaw Police said severe action will be taken against persons who violate curfew.

The Interior Minister Mr.John Amaratunge Monday told parliament that the situation in Chilaw police division has been brought under control. Minister Mr.Rauff Hakeem thanked the government for taking swift action in Chilaw area to stop further clash between two communities.