:2018 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka

{{Infobox civilian attack

|title = Anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka

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{{Location map many

| Sri Lanka

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| label1 = Ampara

| label1_size =

| position1 = top

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| link1 = Ampara

| lat1_deg = 7

| lat1_min = 17

| lat1_sec = 0

| lat1_dir = N

| lon1_deg = 81

| lon1_min = 40

| lon1_sec = 00

| lon1_dir = E

| label2 = Kandy

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| position2 = top

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| link2 = Digana

| lat2_deg = 7

| lat2_min = 17

| lat2_sec = 56

| lat2_dir = N

| lon2_deg = 80

| lon2_min = 44

| lon2_sec = 03

| lon2_dir = E

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|location = Ampara and Kandy District, Sri Lanka

|target = Mosques, Muslim-owned property, and Muslim civilians

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|date = 26 February – 10 March 2018

|time =

|timezone = UTC+05:30

|type = Widespread looting, assault, arson

|fatalities = 2

|injuries = Ampara District: 5
Kandy District: 10

|victims =

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|motive = Kandy – Fatal assault on a Sinhalese lorry driver by four Muslim youths
Ampara – Allegations of 'sterilization pills' in food served at a Muslim-owned eatery

}}

The Sri Lankan anti-Muslim riots were a series of religious riots targeting Muslims that began in the town of Ampara located in Sri Lanka on 26 February 2018, spreading to the Kandy District from March 2 until its end on March 10, 2018.

Muslim citizens, mosques, and other properties were attacked by mobs of Sinhalese Buddhists. The Government of Sri Lanka undertook a forceful crackdown on the rioting by imposing a state of emergency and deploying the Sri Lankan Armed Forces to assist the Police in the affected areas. The situation was under control by 9 March. Two fatalities and ten injuries were reported among Sinhalese, Muslims, and the police. According to the police, forty-five incidents of damage to houses and businesses were reported, while four places of worship were attacked. The police arrested 81 persons in connection with the rioting.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/09/local/145064/kandy-communal-violence-main-suspect-arrested |title=Kandy communal violence: Main suspect arrested |access-date=18 March 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://colombogazette.com/2018/02/27/ampara-tense-following-attack-on-shop-and-mosque/ |title=Ampara tense following attack on shop and mosque |website=colombogazette.com |date=27 February 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=28 February 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2018/02/27/ampara-tense-following-attack-on-shop-and-mosque/ |title=Ampara tense following attack on shop and mosque |website=www.thesundayleader.lk |language=en-US |access-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302041739/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2018/02/27/ampara-tense-following-attack-on-shop-and-mosque/ |archive-date=2 March 2018 }}{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka declares emergency to quell anti-Muslim riots |url=https://nation.com.pk/07-Mar-2018/sri-lanka-declares-emergency-to-quell-anti-muslim-riots |access-date=7 March 2018 |work=The Nation |date=7 March 2018}}

Rioting in the Kandy District began in Udispattuwa and Teldeniya, later spreading to Digana, Tennekumbura, and other surrounding areas. It all began when a truck driver of Sinhalese ethnicity was assaulted by four Muslim youths following a traffic accident. The truck driver died of his injuries four days later. In response to this, on March 5, Sinhalese mobs began attacking Muslim properties in the region, resulting in widespread damage to property.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43305453 |title=Sri Lanka struggles to curb Buddhist riots |date=7 March 2018 |work=BBC News|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en-GB}} Groups of local Sinhalese youth organized by Buddhist monks protected mosques from attackers. Cricketers Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sanath Jayasuriya condemned the attacks, and nearly 300 mostly Sinhalese volunteers rebuilt a Muslim business in Anamaduwa.{{Cite web |url=https://roar.media/english/life/in-the-know/love-not-hate-acts-of-kindness-and-solidarity-during-the-kandy-riots/ |title=Love Not Hate: Acts of Kindness And Solidarity During The Kandy Riots |website=roar.media |date=13 March 2018 |language=en|access-date=15 April 2018}} The riots, the first large-scale Buddhist-Muslim sectarian violence since similar riots in 2014, prompted the Government of Sri Lanka to declare a State of Emergency for ten days, in addition to the police curfew already imposed on the district.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43300913 |title=Sri Lanka state of emergency over violence |date=6 March 2018 |work=BBC News|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/06/asia/sri-lanka-state-of-emergency-intl/index.html |title=Sri Lanka declares state of emergency in wake of communal violence |work=CNN |access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/mobs-clash-with-police-after-sri-lanka-emergency-1820650 |title=Mobs Clash With Police After Sri Lanka Emergency |work=NDTV.com|access-date=9 March 2018}} The state of emergency was the first such since 2011.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-clashes/sri-lanka-declares-state-of-emergency-after-buddhist-muslim-clash-idUSKCN1GI0WG |title=Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after Buddhist-Muslim clash |date=6 March 2018 |work=Reuters |access-date=8 March 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Mashal |first1=Mujib |last2=Bastians |first2=Dharisha |title=Sri Lanka Declares State of Emergency After Mob Attacks on Muslims |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/06/world/asia/sri-lanka-anti-muslim-violence.html|access-date=8 March 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=6 March 2018}}

Social media networks including WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were blocked in parts of the country to prevent mobs from organizing their attacks and spreading propaganda.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/the-latest-sri-lanka-orders-social-media-networks-blocked/2018/03/07/96e0da2c-21e9-11e8-946c-9420060cb7bd_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307142629/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/the-latest-sri-lanka-orders-social-media-networks-blocked/2018/03/07/96e0da2c-21e9-11e8-946c-9420060cb7bd_story.html |archive-date=7 March 2018 |title=The Latest: Sri Lanka orders social media networks blocked |agency=Associated Press |date=7 March 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=7 March 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Social-media-being-filtered-146891.html |title=Social media blocked: TRCSL |access-date=7 March 2018 |language=en}}{{cite web |url=https://b.marfeel.com/amp/www.dailymirror.lk/article/Access-restricted-to-certain-social-media-Minister-146897.html |title=Access restricted to certain social media: Minister – Daily Mirror – Sri Lanka Latest Breaking News and Headlines |website=b.marfeel.com |access-date=7 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041609/https://b.marfeel.com/amp/www.dailymirror.lk/article/Access-restricted-to-certain-social-media-Minister-146897.html |archive-date=8 March 2018 }}{{Cite news |url=https://thenextweb.com/asia/2018/03/08/sri-lanka-blocks-access-to-social-networks-amidst-communal-violence-and-state-of-emergency/ |title=Sri Lanka blocks social networks amidst communal violence |last=Ghoshal |first=Abhimanyu |date=8 March 2018 |work=The Next Web|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-US}} However, the block on social media networks was lifted after 72 hours. After three days of raids in the main town of Kandy, at least 81 people were reported to have been arrested in connection with the incident by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) of the Sri Lankan police, including the main suspect Amith Jeevan Weerasinghe.{{cite web |url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_18A/Mar08_1520518224CH.php |title=Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka police arrest 81 suspects including the mastermind over the anti-Muslim clashes |website=Colombo Page |access-date=8 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/tamil/sri-lanka-43333977 |title=இலங்கை: கலவரம் தொடர்பாக 81 பேர் கைது |date=8 March 2018 |work=BBC News தமிழ் |access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-GB}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040371/main-suspect-in-kandy-violence-arrested |title=Sunday Times – Main suspect in Kandy violence arrested |website=www.sundaytimes.lk |language=en |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311075333/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040371/main-suspect-in-kandy-violence-arrested }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/-suspects-arrested-over-Kandy-violence-four-during-curfew-146962.html |title=81 suspects arrested over Kandy violence, four during curfew|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en}} The police officers stated that the unusual situation which prevailed in the country for a few days had been brought under control, but tight security was imposed in a few parts of the nation as the predicted threats had been focused on the Muslim prayers on 9 March 2018. The riots were denounced by Buddhist monks, and many Sinhalese and Buddhist monks rallied to protect and help Muslims and Mosques during the prayers across the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/sri-lanka-muslims-fear-attacks-friday-prayers-180308155336083.html |title=Sri Lanka: Muslims fear more attacks during Friday prayers |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=9 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/buddhist-mobs-target-sri-lankas-muslims-despite-state-of-emergency-1681835.html |title=Buddhist Mobs Target Sri Lanka's Muslims Despite State of Emergency |work=News18 |access-date=9 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/7586-sinhalese-muslims-protect-each-other-kandy-is-calm-now |title=Sinhalese, Muslims protect each other; Kandy is calm now |last=lakmali |access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en-gb}} According to the government, independent observers, Muslims and Sinhalese in the area, the majority of the rioters came from other areas of Sri Lanka to carry out the riots.{{cite news |date=6 March 2018 |title=Outside group has created violence: PM |publisher=dailymirror.lk |agency=Daily Mirror |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Outside-group-has-created-violence-PM-146838.html |access-date=6 March 2018}}

The government revealed that nearly 465 houses, businesses and vehicles were destroyed and promised to compensate the families who were severely affected due to the communal violence.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Kandy-incidents-created-new-international-challenges-PM-147104.html |title=Kandy incidents created new international challenges: PM |access-date=12 March 2018 |language=en}}

A few weeks after the end of the anti-Muslim riots, new CCTV footage revealed that some police officials aided the rioters. Furthermore, politicians of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party were seen during the riots. The party claimed that they were trying to calm the rioters, while the government accused them of helping the rioters. The activity caused an investigation by the police officials. It was confirmed that the deficiencies and ineffective attitudes of the police were to be investigated and questioned by the Sri Lankan government. Officials were later arrested on charges of torching a mosque but were granted bail after it was found that the alleged mosque was not torched.{{Cite web |url=https://www.siasat.com/news/police-and-politicians-accused-joining-anti-muslim-riots-sri-lanka-1334385/ |title=Police and politicians accused of joining anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka |work=The Siasat Daily |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=26 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1397584 |title=Sri Lanka's police, politicians accused of joining anti-Muslim riots |agency=Reuters |date=26 March 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |access-date=26 March 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/06/25/law-order/154920/four-suspects-digana-disturbances-bailed-out|title=Four suspects in Digana disturbances bailed out|last1=Nissanka|first1=K. Wijesiri|last2=Corr|first2=Karaliyadde Group|website=Daily News|language=en|access-date=2019-04-25}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ft.lk/news/SLPP-refutes-allegations-of-involvement-in-Digana-clashes/56-652297|title=SLPP refutes allegations of involvement in Digana clashes|website=www.ft.lk|language=en|access-date=2019-04-25}}

Background

Despite coexisting peacefully for the most part, many Sinhalese have a history of being suspicious of Muslims, believing that their slightly higher birth rates threaten their demographic supremacy, while others view Muslim businessmen as exploiting poor Sinhalese. Some political analysts believe that Sinhalese extremists are trying to transfer the remaining hostility against Tamils onto the mostly Tamil-speaking Muslim population.{{cite news |title=Anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka signal a new social fissure: Sinhalese nationalists may be looking for an enemy |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21738422-sinhalese-nationalists-may-be-looking-enemy-anti-muslim-riots-sri-lanka-signal-new |access-date=9 March 2018 |newspaper=The Economist |date=8 March 2018}} Moreover, it is alleged that the increasing Arab influence over Sri Lankan Muslim culture in recent years including the construction of a large number of mosques financed by Arab countries and the adoption of the niqab by Muslim women which diverges from the traditional dress has increased the suspicions between the two communities.{{cite news |title=In Sri Lanka, hate speech and impunity fuel anti-Muslim violence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/sri-lanka-hate-speech-impunity-fuel-anti-muslim-violence-180310020253272.html |access-date=11 March 2018 |work=Al Jazeera |date=11 March 2018}}

Sri Lanka has seen several communal violence charged incidents between the majority Sinhala community and the country's Muslim minority. Ampara District has experienced tensions since 2017, with Buddhist groups accusing Muslims of forced conversions and vandalizing Buddhist archaeological sites.{{Cite news |url=http://www.khmertimeskh.com/50110960/buddhists-muslims-clash-sri-lanka/ |title=Buddhists, Muslims clash in Sri Lanka – Khmer Times |date=28 February 2018 |work=Khmer Times|access-date=28 February 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/srilanka/reason-behind-sir-lanka-10-day-emergency-313495.html |title=இலங்கை கலவரத்திற்கு என்ன காரணம்.. சிங்களர்களுக்கும் இஸ்லாமியர்களுக்கும் என்னதான் பிரச்சனை? |work=tamil.oneindia.com|access-date=8 March 2018|language=ta}}

The recent communal violence in Kandy is the first since the Black July violence which occurred in 1983 between Tamils and Sinhalese Buddhists.{{Cite news |url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/srilanka/buddhist-muslim-communal-clash-sri-lanka-after-9-years-eelam-war-ends-313492.html |title=மீண்டும் பற்றி எரியும் இலங்கை- அரசியல் ஆதாயத்துக்காக தூண்டிவிடுகிறார் மகிந்த ராஜபக்சே? |work=tamil.oneindia.com|access-date=8 March 2018|language=ta}} This violence is also the first time such communal violence has occurred between Muslims and Buddhists in the district of Kandy since the 1915 Ceylonese riots which were incited by the British administration.{{cite web |url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=181061 |title=The Island |website=www.island.lk |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308165150/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=181061 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/03/07/sri-lankas-culture-of-impunity-leads-to-violence.html |title=Sri Lanka's culture of impunity leads to violence |last=Anandasangaree |first=Gary |date=7 March 2018 |work=The Toronto Star|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-CA |issn=0319-0781}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/tamil/sri-lanka-43305235 |title=இலங்கை: இனக்கலவரங்களின் பின்னணி |date=6 March 2018 |work=BBC News தமிழ்|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-GB}}

Riots and Violence

= Ampara =

An aggressive mob had openly ignited attacks on several shops in the surrounding area of Ampara.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Tension-in-Ampara-town-146513.html |title=Tension in Ampara town|access-date=28 February 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/7458-mosque-shops-attacked-in-ampara-town |title=shops attacked in Ampara town |last=shanika|access-date=28 February 2018 |language=en-gb}}{{Cite news |url=http://malaysiandigest.com/world/725373-mosque-vandalized-in-ampara.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228070814/http://malaysiandigest.com/world/725373-mosque-vandalized-in-ampara.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=28 February 2018 |title=Mosque Vandalized in Ampara |work=Malaysian Digest|access-date=28 February 2018 |language=en-gb}} Hotels in the vicinity of the mosque were also attacked by the mobs, with the police unable to bring the situation under control.{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.lk/news/Shops--mosque-damaged-in-Ampara/56-650304 |title=Shops, mosque damaged in Ampara {{!}} FT Online|website=www.ft.lk|language=en|access-date=28 February 2018}} The Special Task Force (STF) and police reinforcements were then dispatched from nearby police stations which dispersed the mobs.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1039886/tense-situation-in-ampara-brought-under-control |title=Sunday Times – Tense situation in Ampara brought under control |website=www.sundaytimes.lk |language=en|access-date=28 February 2018}}

Areas with larger Muslim populations in Maruthamunai, Sammanthurai, Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai and Kalmunai in Ampara District were conducting Hartals, as a response against the anti-Muslim riots. The protests resulted in 8 buses being damaged. 31 Muslims were arrested who were damaging public property and released after a warning.{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilwin.com/community/01/176301?ref=home-feed |title=32 Muslims Released [Muslim] |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231516/http://www.tamilwin.com/community/01/176301?ref=home-feed }}

= Kandy =

The first signs of violence were reported from Udispattuwa on the night of 2 March as the body of a victim of Buddhist-targeted violence was being taken to Ambala, groups set tires alight on the road as a sign of protest against the killing; the police, anticipating violence, deployed 1000 Special Task Force personnel in and around the area, encompassing Moragahamula, Udispattuwa, Teldeniya and Ambagahalanda.{{cite news |last1=Kuruluwansa |first1=Asela |last2=Imtiaz |first2=Zahra |date=5 March 2018 |title=Curfew Declared in Kandy District: 200 Sinha Regiment Soldiers and 1000 Special Task Force Personnel Deployed as Police Fail to Control Anti-Muslim Violence |publisher=dbsjeyaraj.com |agency=DBS Jeyaraj |url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/58142 |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306041030/http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/58142 |url-status=dead }} Despite these efforts, two Muslim-owned shops in Moragahamula were subjected to arson on the night of 4 March. 28 suspects were later arrested for their involvement in the fires.{{cite news |title=Twenty four arrested for igniting Teldeniya shop |url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/06/local/144716/twenty-four-arrested-igniting-teldeniya-shop |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Daily News |publisher=dailynews.lk |date=6 March 2018}} General disorderly behavior and violence associated with the killing by the residents of Teldeniya and outlying areas were also reported.{{cite news |title=Kandy Tense as Mob Spreads to Digana |url=http://www.hirunews.lk/185189/kandy-tense-as-mob-attacks-spread-to-digana |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Asia Broadcasting |publisher=Hiru News |date=5 March 2018 |archive-date=5 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305203852/http://www.hirunews.lk/185189/kandy-tense-as-mob-attacks-spread-to-digana }}

The uproar began to spread to Digana by the morning of 5 March, when a large mob converged on the town, setting fire to a mosque, shops and houses. In response, police used tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the crowd, which saw retaliation from the mob who threw various projectiles, while the violence spread to more residences, shops and nearby vehicles.{{cite news |last1=Kuruwita |first1=Rathindra |last2=Wimalasurendra |first2=Cyril |date=5 March 2018 |title=Troops deployed to quell violence |publisher=island.lk |agency=The Island |url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=180976 |access-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307081455/http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=180976 |archive-date=7 March 2018}} Traffic along the A26 was forced to a halt, and by 3 PM, the police requested the support of the Sri Lanka Army, which deployed 200 troops from the Sinha Regiment base in Digana in the evening. The police then followed up by declaring a district-wide curfew in Kandy until 6 AM on 6 March; the same curfew was re-imposed on Teldeniya and Pallekele at 8 PM on 6 March, after the body of a 24-year-old Muslim male was discovered within the remains of a shop in Digana.{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka violence: State of emergency declared over attacks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43300913 |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=BBC |publisher=bbc.com |date=6 March 2018}}{{cite news |title=Police curfew declared in Kandy district |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040118/police-curfew-declared-in-kandy-district |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Sunday Times of Sri Lanka |publisher=sundaytimes.lk |date=5 March 2018}}{{cite news |title=Curfew re-imposed in Teldeniya and Pallekele areas |url=http://colombogazette.com/2018/03/06/curfew-re-imposed-in-teldeniya-and-pallekele-areas/ |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Colombo Gazette |publisher=colombogazette.com |date=6 March 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Silva |first1=Manushi |title=Police curfew in Kandy administrative district re-imposed |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/46273/police-curfew-in-kandy-administrative-district-re-imposed- |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=Ada Derana |publisher=adaderana.lk |date=7 March 2018}} By the evening of 6 March, a total of 4 mosques, 37 houses, 46 shops and 35 vehicles were damaged or destroyed as a result of the riots in both Digana and other locations in the Kandy District; 1 confirmed fatality was reported.

On the night of 6 March, mobs were seen in Lewella and Balagolla, moving towards Tennekumbura and the general direction of Kandy. Soon after, an arson attack on a mosque in Tennekumbura was reported.{{cite news |title=Anti-Muslim Assaults: Sinhalese Mobs Ignite Kandy For Second Night |url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/anti-muslim-assaults-sinhalese-mobs-ignite-kandy-for-second-night/ |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=Colombo Telegraph |publisher=colombotelegraph.com |date=6 March 2018}} Reports noted that on this day a Buddhist man had died after being beaten by a group of Muslim men who were upset over a traffic violation.{{Cite web |author=Zaheena Rasheed |author2=Irfan Cader |title=Sri Lanka 'on the brink' amid fresh anti-Muslim violence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/3/8/sri-lanka-on-the-brink-amid-fresh-anti-muslim-violence |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} According to sources, At 2 PM on 22 February 2018, a Sinhalese lorry driver from Ambala, Medamahanuwara was assaulted by four Muslim youths in Karaliyadda, Teldeniya. The victim was admitted to the intensive care unit of the National Hospital (Teaching Hospital) Kandy and died on the night of 2 March from his injuries. The victim's assistant (also traveling in the lorry) was assaulted, admitted to the hospital, and later discharged after treatment.

The motive behind the attack has not been established. Some reports state it stemmed from a road accident where the trucker had damaged the wing mirror of an auto rickshaw the assailants had been travelling in while attempting to overtake it; all four suspects were reported to have been intoxicated. The suspects were arrested by the police on the day of the attack and remanded until 7 March. High ambulance activity was reported from Menikhinna, and 7 people were arrested there for disorderly behavior and for causing unrest. Three police officers were injured.{{Cite web |author=Zaheena Rasheed |author2=Irfan Cader |title=Sri Lanka 'on the brink' amid fresh anti-Muslim violence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/3/8/sri-lanka-on-the-brink-amid-fresh-anti-muslim-violence |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} Curfew imposed on the evening of 6 March was lifted briefly in the morning of 7 March but was soon re-imposed. 7 March also saw Muslim residents of Mullegama barricading themselves inside a local mosque after a Sinhalese mob attacked their homes alleging theft of a donation box from a nearby Buddhist temple; the Muslims accused the police of inaction in the face of the mobs.{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka blocks social media as anti-Muslim rioting flares |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/anti-muslim-riots-flare-anew-sri-lanka-emergency-53575048 |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=ABC News |publisher=abcnews.com |date=7 March 2018}} One Sinhalese male was reported to have died and another was injured in an explosion of unknown origin in the course of the Mullegama attacks. Some media reported that his injuries were sustained in an attack carried out by Muslim men.{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka to probe anti-Muslim riots, lift curfew |url=http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-to-probe-anti-muslim-riots-lift-curfew-35295 |access-date=11 March 2018 |date=10 March 2018}} As a reaction to a statement made by a Buddhist monk at the Mullegama temple, a projectile attack against his temple was carried out by Muslims earlier in the day.{{Clarify|date=June 2022}}

Katugastota also saw anti-Muslim violence and arson, while a mob assembled in the Ambatanna town center after a rumor that a temple was being attacked. The mob then proceeded to damage property and engaged in rioting.{{cite news |last1=Safi |first1=Michael |last2=Perera |first2=Amantha |title=Sri Lanka blocks social media as deadly violence continues |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/07/sri-lanka-blocks-social-media-as-deadly-violence-continues-buddhist-temple-anti-muslim-riots-kandy |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=The Guardian UK |work=theguardian|date=7 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://m.france24.com/en/20180307-fresh-arson-attacks-sri-lanka-despite-emergency-laws |title=Fresh arson attacks in Sri Lanka despite emergency laws |date=7 March 2018 |work=France 24|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en-US}}

= Other districts =

Small incidents were reported in other districts against Muslims. A tire was burned in front of a mosque in Medina Nagar, Vavuniya. However, the police and army controlled the situation and protected the mosque.{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilwin.com/community/01/176300?ref=home-feed |title=Tire burnt in front of mosque |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231625/http://www.tamilwin.com/community/01/176300?ref=home-feed }} Some shops belonging to Muslims were damaged and some shop workers were assaulted in Ambatenna, Matale.{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilwin.com/security/01/176274?ref=home-feed |title=Attacked on shops [Tamil] |access-date=8 March 2018 |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308231551/http://www.tamilwin.com/security/01/176274?ref=home-feed }} A grenade blast left one dead.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-clashes/sri-lanka-blocks-social-media-as-buddhist-mobs-attack-mosques-idUSKCN1GJ1JT |title=Grenade blast kills one in Sri Lanka communal violence, social... |work=Reuters|access-date=8 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/5271758/grenade-kills-one-as-social-media-blocked/?cs=5 |title=Grenade kills one as social media blocked |last=Sirilal |first=Shihar Aneez and Ranga |date=8 March 2018 |work=Western Advocate|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en}} The incident occurred despite a ban on social media networks designed to reduce bloodshed.{{Cite web |title=Grenade kills one as social media blocked |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/grenade-kills-one-as-social-media-blocked/1jke1o5fg |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=SBS News |language=en}}

Response

Sri Lankan police arrested at least 81 rioters including Amith Jeevan Weerasinghe, the leader of the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist Mahason Balakaya who is believed to be the leading figure among the rioters alongside Suredha Suraweera who was also arrested.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/03/kandy-unrest-chief-suspect-revealed/ |title=Kandy unrest: Chief suspect revealed |date=8 March 2018 |work=Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst {{!}} Breaking News and Latest News provider {{!}} Political {{!}} Sports {{!}} International {{!}} Business|access-date=8 March 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/the-latest-on-sri-lanka-crisis-and-violence-against-muslims-10-facts-1821156 |title=The Latest on Sri Lanka Crisis And Violence Against Muslims: 10 Facts |work=NDTV.com|access-date=9 March 2018}} Ampitiye Sumanarathana Thera was also seen alongside Amith during the riot and also demanded the release of those arrested by the police but Thera was not arrested. Sumanarathana Thera is known for his active participation in violence against Tamils and Muslims.{{Cite news |url=http://srilankamirror.com/news/7535-continuing-attacks-fuel-fears-of-anti-muslim-violence-spreading-in-sri-lanka |title=Continuing attacks fuel fears of anti Muslim violence spreading in Sri Lanka |last=lakmali|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-gb}} Further, the main suspects were brought to Colombo for further enquiries.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Kandy-violence-Main-suspects-brought-to-Colombo-146981.html |title=Kandy violence: Main suspects brought to Colombo|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en}}

A panel of three retired judges was appointed by the Sri Lankan President to probe into the anti-Muslim riots to inquire into the incidents which took place in areas such as Digana and Teldeniya.{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/sri-lanka-unrest-three-retired-judges-to-probe-anti-muslim-riots-in-kandy-announces-president-maithripala-sirisena-4384261.html |title=Sri Lanka unrest: Three retired judges to probe anti-Muslim riots in Kandy, announces President Maithripala Sirisena - Firstpost |website=www.firstpost.com|date=10 March 2018 |access-date=12 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180311/news/three-judge-committee-to-probe-kandy-district-violence-285681.html |title=Three-judge committee to probe Kandy district violence |work=The Sunday Times Sri Lanka|access-date=12 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://scroll.in/latest/871605/sri-lanka-panel-of-retired-judges-to-investigate-anti-muslim-violence-in-kandy |title=Sri Lanka: Panel of retired judges to investigate anti-Muslim violence in Kandy |work=Scroll.in|access-date=12 March 2018 |language=en-US}}

The newly appointed Minister of Law and Order, Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that the current Sri Lankan government is planning to bring fresh legislation to ensure a code of conduct for the operation of social media networks in Sri Lanka by the international practices to avoid unethical false claims, and rumours which have been spread by many suspicious people through social media. The Minister also said that the law enforcement authorities and agencies have arrested people for conducting alleged hate campaigns regarding the ethnic riots between Muslims and Buddhists which prevailed in Kandy for about a week.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Govt-mulling-legislation-for-social-media-Madduma-Bandara-147051.html |title=Govt. mulling legislation for social media: Madduma Bandara|access-date=12 March 2018 |language=en}}

Police raided the Mahason Balakaya office at Naththaranpotha in Kundasale after interrogating Amith Weerasinghe which revealed bottles used to make petrol bombs as well as equipment and propaganda materials such as leaflets, posters, notices, letters, banners, a large number of documents and wristbands, which were used in propagating hate speech. Further, the police found computer central processing units (CPUs), several bank accounts, bank slips and several vehicle permits.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Mahason-Balakaya-office-raided-147219.html |title=Mahason Balakaya office raided|access-date=14 March 2018 |language=en}}

= Paranoia over 'sterilization pills' =

Obstetricians and gynaecologists denied that pills can cause permanent sterility and stressed the need for surgical procedures such as vasectomy on males and tubal ligation surgery on females to cause permanent sterility. Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe also released a statement denying the existence of a method to sterilize a person through pills. Sri Lankan lecturer Dr. Mohamed Najimudeen from Melaka Manipal Medical College in Malaysia has also offered a prize of 1,000,000 LKR to anyone able to prove sterilization medicines are being added to clothes or food in the country by various individuals. Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne also claimed that there are no such medicines ever discovered to sterilize a male.{{cite news |date=3 March 2018 |title=Tension in Ampara after fake 'sterilization pills' controversy |language=en |work=Sunday Observer |url=https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2018/03/04/news/tension-ampara-after-fake-%E2%80%98sterilization-pills%E2%80%99-controversy |access-date=6 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.hirunews.lk/185179/truth-relating-to-sterilization-pills |title=Truth relating to 'sterilization pills' |work=Hiru News |access-date=6 March 2018 |language=en |archive-date=5 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305171430/http://www.hirunews.lk/185179/truth-relating-to-sterilization-pills }}{{cite web |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/02/local/144395/ampara-situation-now-normal-rajitha |title=Ampara situation has been under control |work=Dailynews.lk|access-date=7 March 2018}}

Dr. Razia Pendse, the World Health Organization representative in Sri Lanka issued a statement claiming, "There is no medication or 'pills' currently known or available that can permanently make a human being sterile. The information on the use of an 'infertility pill' or 'sterilization pill' mixed with food is baseless with no scientific evidence". United Nations Population Fund Sri Lanka Representative Ritsu Nacken in her statement noted that the incidents show the lack of access to accurate reproductive health information in Sri Lanka.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180311/news/more-than-200-lankan-doctors-say-theres-no-wanda-pethi-285547.html |title=More than 200 Lankan doctors say there's no 'wanda pethi' |work=The Sunday Times Sri Lanka|access-date=13 March 2018}}

Sociologists and senior lecturers at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura's Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Dr. Praneeth Abeysundara and B.A. Tennyson Perera, called for authorities and media to create awareness and dialogue among community leaders and clerics to counter such paranoia.

On 8 March, the Department of Government Analyst confirmed the contents of particles alleged to be infertility/sterilization tablets were carbohydrate-based clumps of flour.{{cite news |title=Ampara: Carbohydrate clumps; not sterilizing chemical- Govt. Analyst |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Ampara-Carbohydrate-clumps-not-sterilizing-chemical-Govt-Analyst-146954.html |access-date=10 March 2018 |agency=Daily Mirror |publisher=dailymirror.lk |date=8 March 2018}}

= Kandy District =

The government urged citizens to remain calm on 5 March, while the Ministry of Education ordered the closure of schools in the Kandy District.{{cite news |title=Curfew imposed in Sri Lanka hill capital after Sinhala – Muslim clashes flare |url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_18A/Mar05_1520257635CH.php |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=ColomboPage |publisher=colombopage.com |date=5 March 2018}} It also imposed a State of Emergency (the first since 2011) over the country on 6 March for 10 days, granting the state powers to arrest and detain suspects indefinitely and deploy armed forces at its will.{{cite news |title=Govt. to declare State of Emergency for 10 days |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Govt-to-declare-State-of-Emergency-for-days--146826.html |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Daily Mirror |publisher=dailymirror.lk |date=6 March 2018}} The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was tasked with an investigation into the event and its background.{{cite news |title=IGP dispatches CID team to Digana |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/46259/igp-dispatches-cid-team-to-digana |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Ada Derana |publisher=adaderana.lk |date=6 March 2018}}

The police came under heavy criticism for its failure to impose order and its alleged hesitation in preventing property damage at the start of the riots.{{cite web |title=Muslims in Digana Closed Their Businesses and Stayed at Home on Police "Advice" But Sinhala Mobs Looted and Torched 27 Deserted Shops,;At Least One Mosque and Some Houses Also Damaged |url=http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/58145 |access-date=6 March 2018 |website=DBS Jeyaraj |date=6 March 2018 |publisher=dbsjeyaraj.com |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306040853/http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/58145 |url-status=dead }} Several government and opposition MPs criticized the police and its decision-making, while others called for calm and harsh punishments for perpetrators of racially motivated violence. A group of Sinhalese Buddhists and Buddhist clergy held a protest outside the Digana police station on 6 March demanding the release of all suspects arrested for their involvement in the riots.{{cite news |title=Kandy riots: Buddhist community stages protest |url=https://www.afternoonvoice.com/kandy-riots-buddhist-community-stages-protest.html |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Afternoon Voice |publisher=afternoonvoice.com |date=6 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://m.france24.com/en/20180305-sri-lanka-imposes-curfew-kandy-after-anti-muslim-riots |title=Sri Lanka imposes curfew in Kandy after anti-Muslim riots |date=5 March 2018 |work=France 24|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en-US}} The government and the opposition party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged an organized, political effort to inflame sectarian tensions in Kandy.{{cite news |title=JVP suspects violence in Kandy part of an organised plan |url=http://colombogazette.com/2018/03/06/jvp-suspects-violence-in-kandy-part-of-an-organised-plan/ |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=Colombo Gazette |publisher=colombogazette.com}} The Buddhist extremist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) which was at the center of the 2014 riots, accused the public of unfairly linking it to incidents of communal violence in the country as BBS was earlier accused and criticized by the critics and other political leaders for aggravating the violence between Muslims and Buddhists. It was later revealed that BBS was unnecessarily blamed for the incident.{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/sri-lanka-imposes-state-emergency-communal-violence-180306080251131.html |title=Sri Lanka imposes state of emergency over communal violence |website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=6 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/5/13206/Anti-Muslim-Riots-Rock-Central-and-South-Eastern-Sri-Lanka-- |title=Anti-Muslim Riots Rock Central and South Eastern Sri Lanka |last=Balachandran |first=B.K.|work=The Citizen|access-date=6 March 2018|language=en-US}} BBS Secretary General Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara visited the assault victim's home on 4 March and claimed he had urged residents of the area to remain calm.{{cite news |title=BBS says it is being unfairly accused of links to violence |url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2018/03/06/bbs-says-it-is-being-unfairly-accused-of-links-to-violence/ |access-date=6 March 2018 |agency=The Sunday Leader |publisher=thesundayleader.lk |date=6 March 2018 |archive-date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306171527/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2018/03/06/bbs-says-it-is-being-unfairly-accused-of-links-to-violence/ }}

To prevent mobs from organizing online through social media platforms, internet access to the Kandy District was restricted by order of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL).{{cite news |last1=Ariff |first1=Yusuf |title=TRC instructs to slow internet speeds in Kandy |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/46277/trc-instructs-to-slow-internet-speeds-in-kandy |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=Ada Derana |publisher=adaderana.lk |date=7 March 2018}}{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka imposes curfew in riot-hit town, blocks social media |url=http://www.economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_imposes_curfew_in_riot_hit_town,_blocks_social_media-3-10065-10.html |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=EconomyNext |publisher=economynext.com |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308041542/http://www.economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_imposes_curfew_in_riot_hit_town,_blocks_social_media-3-10065-10.html }} Access to Facebook was blocked, and the Ministry of Defence instructed the TRCSL to report on individuals spreading hate speech on social media platforms.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/03/measures-taken-monitor-social-media-websites-trc/ |title=Facebook and other Social Media Networks are temporarily blocked – Sri Lanka News |date=7 March 2018 |work=Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst {{!}} Breaking News and Latest News provider {{!}} Political {{!}} Sports {{!}} International {{!}} Business|access-date=8 March 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.vikatan.com/news/tamilnadu/118508-sri-lanka-declares-emergency-for-10-days-amid-buddhist-muslim-clashes.html |title=வதந்தியால் வன்முறை எதிரொலி! – ஃபேஸ்புக்குக்கு தடை விதிக்கவுள்ள இலங்கை |last=S |first=Muthukrishna |date=7 March 2018 |work=Vikatan|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=ta}} The Centre for Policy Alternatives, a think-tank based in Colombo, released a statement claiming videos containing "false information" that sought to incite sectarian violence were going viral online.{{cite news |title=Turkey voices concern over anti-Muslim rioting in Sri Lanka |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/03/07/turkey-voices-concern-over-anti-muslim-rioting-in-sri-lanka |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=Andalou Agency |publisher=Daily Sabah |date=7 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/sri-lanka-bans-facebook-to-stop-violence-2018-3 |title=After declaring a state of emergency, Sri Lanka has banned Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp |work=Business Insider|access-date=8 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-03-07-sri-lanka-social-media-block.html |title=Sri Lanka cuts off access to social networks to curb violence (updated) |work=Engadget|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-US}}

Following the violence in Kandy, several foreign tourists cancelled their visits to the historic Kandy town. This was evident despite the attempts taken by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to provide further updates to foreign tourists about the country's current situation.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Kandy-violence-leads-tourists-to-cancel-visits-146996.html |title=Kandy violence leads tourists to cancel visits |access-date=9 March 2018|language=en}}{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040356/update-tourists-cancel-checking-in-advised-to-move-out-of-kandy |title=Sunday Times – UPDATE: Tourists cancel checking-in, advised to move out of Kandy |website=www.sundaytimes.lk |language=en|access-date=9 March 2018}} But the SLTDA stated that Kandy was returning to normalcy and tourists could resume their visits to the country.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Kandy-returning-to-normal-tourists-could-resume-travel-plans-SLTDA-146959.html |title=Kandy returning to normal, tourists could resume travel plans: SLTDA|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en}}

The riots affected both Sinhalese and Muslim communities in the areas with businesses run by Sinhalese in properties rented from Muslims also burned by the mobs. After the riots ended citizens of Balagalla joined to help the Muslims affected by the riots. Pathadumbara Thalpotha Dhammajothi Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Balagolla Viharaya organized efforts to provide dry rations to Muslim families displaced due to riots.{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.lk/news/A-stunned-community-tries-to-heal/56-650920 |title=A stunned community tries to heal {{!}} FT Online|website=www.ft.lk|language=en|access-date=9 March 2018}} Many Buddhist monks also visited mosques during the Friday prayers on 9 March to express solidarity with Muslims. An organization, Citizens Against Racism staged a peaceful protest on 8 March 2018 against ethnic minority violence in the country. Hundreds of Buddhist monks from the National Bhikku Front also launched a peaceful protest in Colombo accusing the rioters of destroying national unity.{{cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/03/sri-lanka-buddhist-monks-denounce-anti-muslim-riots-180309192840779.html |title=Sri Lanka Buddhist monks denounce anti-Muslim riots |website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=10 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Sri-Lankans-146963.html |title=Sri Lankans|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en}}

In addition, Sinhalese and Buddhist volunteers actively participated in reconstruction efforts and one Muslim-owned eatery which was set ablaze by rioters was repaired by over 300 volunteers with around 200 being Sinhalese within 12 hours after attracting media attention.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/12/local/145243/blazed-hotel-repaired-within-12-hours-anamaduwa|title=Blazed hotel repaired within 12 hours in Anamaduwa|first1=Prasad|last1=Purnimal|first2=Puttalam district|last2=group|website=Daily News}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/27053-over-200-sinhalese-repair-madeena-hotel-in-anamaduwa-hotel-resume-business-18-hours-after-arson-attack |title=Over 200 Sinhalese Repair Madeena Hotel in Anamaduwa: Hotel Resumes Business 18 Hours After Arson Attack |access-date=15 April 2018 |language=en-gb |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416012556/https://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/27053-over-200-sinhalese-repair-madeena-hotel-in-anamaduwa-hotel-resume-business-18-hours-after-arson-attack }}

The schools in the administrative Kandy District were re-opened on 12 March 2018 following the gradual improvement in Kandy after the communal violence.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Kandy-schools-to-reopen-on-Monday-147035.html |title=Kandy schools to reopen on Monday|access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en}} The schools had been closed for about one week since 5 March 2018 due to the imposition of the state of emergency.{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040439/kandy-schools-to-open-on-monday-cm |title=Sunday Times – Kandy schools to open on Monday – CM |website=www.sundaytimes.lk |language=en|access-date=10 March 2018}}

;International response

Australia, Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States issued travel advisories warning their citizens to remain vigilant, avoid large crowds and protests, and follow instructions from local authorities.{{cite news |title=US, UK, Aus. issue travel advisories on SL |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/US-UK-Aus-issue-travel-advisories-on-SL-146888.html |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=Daily Mirror |publisher=dailymirror.lk |date=7 March 2018}}

{{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey: The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that expressed concerns over the violence, saying "The Sri Lankan government will take the necessary steps to ensure that different religious and ethnic communities continue to live together in peace across the country." The ministry also offered condolences to the families of victims killed in the riots.
{{flagicon|UN}} United Nations: The UN condemned the attacks, calling for a quick resolution of the situation in a statement released on 7 March. "The United Nations urges authorities to take immediate action against perpetrators and to ensure that appropriate measures are swiftly taken to restore normalcy in affected areas". UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "We are obviously concerned over reports of the ongoing communal violence and we welcome the government's commitment to addressing the tensions and achieve reconciliation. We urge all Sri Lankans to resolve their difference through dialogue."{{cite news |title=Senior UN official to visit Sri Lanka after anti-Muslim riots |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20180306-senior-un-official-visit-sri-lanka-after-anti-muslim-riots |access-date=7 March 2018 |agency=France24 |publisher=france24.com |date=6 March 2018}}
{{flagicon|United States}} United States: The administration urged the government of Sri Lanka to act quickly against perpetrators of sectarian violence, in a statement released on 6 March. "Rule of law, human rights, and equality are essential for peaceful coexistence. It is important that the Government of Sri Lanka act quickly against perpetrators of sectarian violence, protect religious minorities and their places of worship, and conclude the State of Emergency swiftly, while protecting human rights and basic freedoms for all".{{cite web |title=Statement from the U.S. Embassy |url=https://lk.usembassy.gov/statement-u-s-embassy/ |website=Embassy of the United States in Colombo |access-date=8 March 2018 |date=6 March 2018}}
{{flagicon|European Union}} European Union: In a statement made on 8 March, the EU urged the government to take urgent action against hate crimes. "The recent attacks on communities are very worrying. It is important that the Government and the security forces take urgent action against hate crimes and ensure that the perpetrators of such actions are swiftly brought to justice. It is vital that all political leaders, religious and other community leaders condemn violence and make every effort to promote understanding and harmony between communities. The EU trusts that any actions taken under the State of Emergency will be proportionate and respect constitutional rights and freedoms".{{cite news |title=Take urgent action against hate crimes: EU Ambassadors to SL |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Take-urgent-action-against-hate-crimes-EU-Ambassadors-to-SL-146955.html |access-date=8 March 2018 |work=Daily Mirror |date=8 March 2018}}
{{flagicon|Canada}} Canada: The Government of Canada called on the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the safety and security of all minorities. "Canada welcomes the Government of Sri Lanka's condemnation of the violent acts. Canada calls on the government to ensure the safety and security of all minorities, to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. As we said at the United Nations Human Rights Council last month, frustrations persist among those trying to heal the wounds of Sri Lanka's civil war. Ensuring that diversity and pluralism are valued is critical to the work of reconciliation in Sri Lanka".{{cite news |title=Canada deeply concerned by violence in SL |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Canada-deeply-concerned-by-violence-in-SL-146952.html |access-date=8 March 2018 |work=Daily Mirror |date=8 March 2018}}
{{flagicon|China}} China: The Government of China stated on 8 March that it believes the Government of Sri Lanka and its people are capable of handling the current situation. "We have noted relevant reports. This belongs to Sri Lanka's internal affairs. China believes that the Sri Lankan government and its people are capable of handling the current situation, and upholding Sri Lanka's social stability and ethnic solidarity. We also hope that Sri Lanka will take concrete measures to protect the security of Chinese citizens in Sri Lanka".{{cite news |title=SL capable of handling the current situation: China |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/SL-capable-of-handling-the-current-situation-China-146951.html |access-date=8 March 2018 |work=Daily Mirror |date=8 March 2018}}

;Celebrity response

Sri Lankan cricketers including Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya strongly condemned the situation and asked the populace to come together to unite the country.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Stand-together-be-wise-Cricket-legends-request-146901.html |title=Stand together, be wise: Cricket legends request|access-date=7 March 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dailythanthi.com/News/World/2018/03/08070913/Sangakkara-condemns-antiMuslim-riots-in-Sri-Lanka.vpf |title=இலங்கையில் வன்முறை: அமைதி திரும்ப வேண்டும் என முன்னாள் கிரிக்கெட் நட்சத்திரங்கள் கோரிக்கை |date=8 March 2018 |work=Dailythnathi.com |access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308061136/https://www.dailythanthi.com/News/World/2018/03/08070913/Sangakkara-condemns-antiMuslim-riots-in-Sri-Lanka.vpf |archive-date=8 March 2018 |df=dmy-all }} Former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan said that his family members were feeling safe in Kandy and also said that there was no need to worry about the country following the declaration of the state of emergency.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/We-all-are-safe-here-Murali-146943.html |title=We all are safe here- Murali|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en}}

Former Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa accused and blamed the government for not acting more responsively to control the ethnic riots. He further mentioned that some cabinet ministers tried to blame the police officials rather than being responsible to control and manage the unusual situation which has spread in the nation.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Govt-s-failure-to-control-riots-don-t-blame-the-Police-MR-147015.html |title=Govt's failure to control riots; don't blame the Police – MR|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en}} Further, Mahinda Rajapaksa has also been reported to have met the heads of diplomatic missions of a few Islamic countries to discuss the communal violence which erupted in the nation a few weeks ago.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/MR-meets-envoys-of-Islamic-diplomatic-missions-146991.html |title=MR meets envoys of Islamic diplomatic missions|access-date=9 March 2018 |language=en}} He also visited Kandy on 9 March 2018 to discuss the current situation in the area following the violence.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Ex-president-Rajapaksa-visits-Kandy-147037.html |title=Ex-president Rajapaksa visits Kandy|access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en}}

Indian test cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin also expressed his condolences towards the people of Sri Lanka and pointed out that Sri Lankan people are in general good.{{Cite news |url=http://www.bbc.com/tamil/sri-lanka-43328176 |title=வாழ்வோம், வாழ விடுவோம் – இலங்கை இனமோதல் குறித்து அஷ்வின் உருக்கம்! |date=8 March 2018 |work=BBC News தமிழ்|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |url=https://tamil.oneindia.com/news/tamilnadu/cricketer-ashwin-feels-bad-about-sri-lanka-riot-313617.html |title=இலங்கை நல்ல நாடு.. அங்கு நடக்கும் கலவரம் வருத்தமளிக்கிறது.. ரவிச்சந்திரன் அஸ்வின் கவலை |work=tamil.oneindia.com|access-date=8 March 2018|language=ta}} Human rights activist, Meenakshi Ganguly from India also blamed the Sri Lankan government for not taking immediate action to eradicate communal violence in the nation.{{Cite news |url=http://www.tamilwin.com/politics/01/176370 |title=இலங்கை அரசாங்கத்தை எச்சரிக்கும் மீனாக்ஷி கங்குலி! |work=Tamilwin |access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en |archive-date=8 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232138/http://www.tamilwin.com/politics/01/176370 }}

Economic impact

The riots negatively impacted the economy of Sri Lanka as well as the local economy of Kandy. In addition to the destruction of many shops employing both Sinhalese and Muslims, many tourists cancelled visits to Sri Lanka which heavily depends on the tourism industry.{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Kandy-violence-leads-tourists-to-cancel-visits-147011.html |title=Kandy violence leads tourists to cancel visits|access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/7592-tourism-industry-suffers-irreparable-loss |title=Tourism industry suffers irreparable loss |last=lakmali|access-date=10 March 2018 |language=en-gb}}

The violence in Kandy affected the Nuwara Eliya season in April where there was a 40% drop in tourist arrivals both local and foreign compared to the previous year. Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga planned to invite Ambassadors of various countries that imposed travel advisories with a site visit for diplomats mainly from the European and Middle Eastern nations from 13–14 May with cultural events and tours to assure them about the country returning to normalcy.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180415/business-times/nuwara-eliya-season-tourist-traffic-hit-by-40-slump-289773.html |title=Nuwara Eliya season tourist traffic hit by 40% slump |work=The Sunday Times Sri Lanka|access-date=19 April 2018}}

Other events

The opening match of the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, a tri-series cricket tournament between Sri Lanka and India was held under tight security coinciding with the tense situation in the nation following the declaration of the state of emergency.{{Cite news |url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/100775/nidahas-trophy-cricket-to-remain-unaffected-despite-emergency-in-sri-lanka |title=Nidahas Trophy to remain unaffected despite emergency in SL |work=Cricbuzz|access-date=7 March 2018 |language=en}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/sri-lanka-curfew-kandy-10-days-emergency-indian-cricket-team-sinhalese-buddhists-muslims-colombo/205088 |title=2018 Nidahas Trophy set to commence despite state of emergency in Sri Lanka |work=TimesNow|access-date=7 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-sri-lanka-bangladesh-tri-series/nidahas-trophy-on-track-in-colombo-despite-sri-lanka-emergency/articleshow/63185281.cms |title=Nidahas Trophy on track in Colombo despite Sri Lanka emergency |work=The Times of India|access-date=7 March 2018}}
Despite the violence between Muslims and Buddhists on the island, the funeral of Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thero was held on 8 March 2018 in Colombo.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180304/news/funeral-with-state-patronage-for-ven-daranagama-kusaladhamma-thera-pioneer-of-buddhist-media-284580.html |title=Funeral with State patronage for Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera, pioneer of Buddhist media |work=The Sunday Times Sri Lanka|access-date=8 March 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/146939/Funeral-of-Ven-Daranagama-Kusaladhamma-Thera-today |title=Funeral of Ven. Daranagama Kusaladhamma Thera today|access-date=8 March 2018 |language=en}}