Sangakkara Seeking Solidarity Amidst Communal Riots in SL

The country had imposed a nation-wide curfew after the rising anti-Muslim riots.

Kumar Sangakkara took to Twitter on 14 May to express his concerns about the rising communal tensions in his country and requested the citizens to heal and rise as a nation.

(Photo: Reuters)

Amidst probably the worst communal tensions Sri Lanka has ever seen, cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has urged Sri Lankans to “Stop. Breathe. Think. Open your Eyes.” The cricketer took to Twitter on 14 May to express his concerns about the rising communal tensions in his country and requested the citizens to heal and rise as a nation.

On Monday, 13 May, the country had imposed a nation-wide curfew after the alarming rise of the anti-Muslim riots that had spread across the island nation, three weeks after multiple suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State killed over 250 people and injured hundreds.

The curfew will remain in force till 4 am on Tuesday, 14 May.

The unrest was triggered on Sunday after a group of people stormed into Chilaw town following the Facebook post by a Muslim shopkeeper about "an attack plan".

Reports said that several people threw stones at mosques and attacked Muslim-owned shops. A man, presumably Muslim, was beaten up as well.

The country been on the edge since 21 April when suicide bombers attacked three churches and three luxury hotels besides two other places.