COLOMBO, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Police on Wednesday extended a curfew for the third consecutive day in Kandy, central Sri Lanka, after mobs clashed on the streets resulting in two deaths and several being injured.
Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera told Xinhua that the curfew, which was imposed on Sunday night, had been extended until further notice as several violent incidents had been reported from across the Kandy district.
Eye witnesses on ground said police were forced to fire in the air on Tuesday night to disperse mobs who took to the streets, defying the curfew and state of emergency.
Gunasekera said tight security remained in place and three special police teams had also been dispatched to Kandy on Wednesday morning.
"There is a heavy presence of police, special forces and the army on ground. There have been several incidents which is why the curfew has been re-imposed," Gunasekera said.
So far, police have arrested more than seven individuals involved in triggering the clashes on Tuesday night.
Businesses have remained closed while schools across the district have also remained shut.
Due to the escalation of violence, President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday declared a week long, nation-wide state of emergency, the first since the country ended a civil war in 2009.
In a nation-wide address, he appealed for calm and peace and warned of "stern action" against anyone spreading violence and rumors with the intention of provoking communal violence.
Several ministers have also visited Kandy since Sunday, urging people to refrain from violence and maintain law and order.
Violent clashes erupted in Digana town in Kandy on Sunday night after a 41-year-old man succumbed to his injuries after being attacked by a group of people on Feb. 22.
Gunasekara said 24 people had been arrested over the killing so far. Out of the 24, 10 were directly involved in the killing of the victim while 14 people were arrested on suspicion.