Issuing a statement, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the security forces have been given full powers to act against any unruly group attempting to trigger violence in the country.

The Prime Minister's statement came soon after the police imposed a countrywide curfew to diffuse racially-orchestrated violence on the streets.

In his statement, Wickremesinghe urged the public to support the security forces while upholding peace and harmony.

He said the groups triggering violence aim to create racial disharmony in the country and destabilize the people's live. He added it was against this backdrop that the government decided to ban social media and some messaging apps.

The Prime Minister also added that the result of causing disruptions in various places will be a disruption to the Vesak Festival too.