A public meeting was held in Mawannela this evening, with the participation of the clergy, community leaders and the law enforcement bodies to diffuse tensions in the area after an attack on several Buddha statues. 

UNP Chairman Minister Kabir Hashim also attended the meeting. The meeting focused on strengthening community engagement in the area, with the aim of preventing any incident that disrupts the harmony among different ethnic and religious communities.

Two suspects have been arrested by the Police over the incident. One of them was apprehended by the villagers and handed over to the Police this morning. 

"I condemn the recent acts of violence committed against places of worship in Mawanella," Minister Hashim, an elected representative from the area, said issuing a statement on the incident. 

As soon as I heard about the recent attacks I instructed the police to investigate and arrest those responsible. The two suspects have since been apprehended by the authorities and will be subject to the full extent of the law," he also added.