President Maithripala Sirisena returned to the island from China early this morning, after attending the Conference on Asian Civilizations Dialogue.

President Sirisena let for China on Sunday - a day before racial violence broke out in the country targeting Muslims and Muslim-owned businesses.

A 27-member delegation left for China accompanying President Sirisena to attend the International conference.

Before leaving for China, however, President Sirisena appointed State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena as the Acting Minister of Defence.