COLOMBO: The clashes broke out between Buddhists and Muslims in Aluthgama and Beruwela, two Muslim-majority towns on southern coast of Sri Lanka, that left at least three persons killed and 78 others seriously injured.
The officials and residents said that the clashes erupted during a protest march led by the hardline Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or Buddhist power force.
During the clashes, several shops of Muslims were burnt and their homes were attacked which forced them to leave their homes and take shelter in community centres.
Later, a curfew was imposed in the area to bring the situation under control.