AMN / COLOMBO
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has lifted the nationwide state of emergency imposed on the 6th of this month to control violence against minority Muslim establishments in Kandy district.
The Gazette to end the emergency was signed last night soon after the return of the President from his visit abroad. In a message, Mr Sirisena said, upon assessing the public safety situation, he has decided to revoke the state of emergency.
The emergency was initially meant for one week but had to be extended by few days owing to the President being away from the country.
Two people were killed and hundreds of Muslim-owned properties and 20 mosques damaged in the violence which lasted for a few days. The President appointed a commission of enquiry to probe the violence.