Unrest not racially motivated – Police

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – The Police say the recent unrest in several parts of the island following the Easter Sunday attacks were not racially or religiously motivated.

Police Media Spokesman Superintendent of Police Ruwan Gunasekera said those inciting violence were a group of opportunists with narrow objectives.

He stated though incidents of unrest occurred in Kurunegala, Wariyapola, Kuliyapitiya, Nikaweratiya, Chilaw and Minuwangoda, as a step to ensure security Police curfew was imposed island-wide.

The Police Media Spokesman meanwhile warned that Tri-Forces and the Police will use all necessary force to prevent and stop anyone from engaging in violence.

Meanwhile SP Gunasekara also warned that Police clearance reports pertaining to all persons arrested over the violence and unrest, will clearly state that the individuals in question were involved in inciting or engaging in violence in the country.

He said in addition to Police personnel already stationed in particular areas for ongoing investigations, more Police teams including 2 Deputy Inspector General’s of Police, a Superintendent of Police and 8 Assistant Superintendents of Police have been deployed to Kuliyapitiya and Kurunegala.

The SP stated another team is also operating from Colombo headed by an SP for investigations and arresting suspects.

Meanwhile the Police Spokesman stressed going forward all Police station have been informed that if anyone who has been arrested or is arrested on charges of inciting or engaging in violence requests a police clearance report for any purpose in future, be it for employment or migration or any other reason, their respective Police clearance reports will clearly state without fail that they were arrested on charges of violence.