Muslims, who make up seven per cent of the population, have had peaceful relations with the Sinhalese, and are in no way connected with the bitter 18-year civil war between Tamil Tiger rebels and government troops. But last week, the two communities attacked each other without restraint, forcing the government to rush army troops to Mawanella town and impose a curfew to prevent the situation from deteriorating. The fighting continued both Tuesday and Wednesday. The charred remnants of shops bear witness to the intensity of the anger that had spurred those involved. A temple and a mosque were also targeted, as were houses.
Police are yet to determine the cause of the outburst.
Police spokesman Rienzie Perera said that the Criminal Investigation Department had been despatched to probe the incident. Newspapers claimed security guards of a powerful minister triggered the violence by assaulting a Muslim shopowner, but the police have yet to confirm these allegations. President Chandrika Kumaratunga has appointed a special committee to monitor the daily situation in Mawanella. Muslim protests in Colombo followed the riots, and these soon turned disorderly. Groups of Muslims gathered for a peaceful demonstration after Friday prayers, but some of them started stoning vehicles and soon turned their attacks on the police who had arrived to keep the peace.