Military and police presence has been stepped up around mosques in Colombo as Muslims go for Friday prayers for the first time since violence broke out in Kandy last Saturday (3).

There were fears that violence would break out in Colombo as Muslims go for ritual prayers on Friday, and Police and military presence was deployed as a precaution.

In Kandy, a curfew still prevents residents from moving about freely, as the situation slowly returns to normal.

A number of arrests – 81 in all – were made by the Police and military over the last few days as the government vowed a tough stance over those inciting violence.