Buddhist-led anti-Muslim riots further evidence Sri Lanka is not safe

March 15, 2018
Issue 
Shops and mosques were targeted during anti-Muslim riots that began on March 5 in Sri Lanka.

Two people died and homes, vehicles, shops and mosques were burnt during anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka.

The riots began in Kandy on March 5 and spread to other nearby towns. Victims accused the police of failing to protect them in the early stages of the violence. A state of emergency was declared on March 6.

Sri Lanka has a long history of riots by members of the Sinhala-Buddhist majority against ethnic and religious minorities. Such violence has been incited by politicians and Buddhist monks.

For several decades, Tamils were the main target, but recently Muslims have been targeted as well.

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