COLOMBO, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police on Saturday arrested at least 19 people after violent clashes erupted in Gintota, the southern Galle District, Friday night.
Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake said the police had acted swiftly to ease the situation and over 300 police and Special Task Force officers had been deployed throughout the district.
"Anyone using this situation to spread hatred or false rumors will be arrested irrespective of their status or position," a statement released by the minister's office said.
A police official told Xinhua that the situation had returned to normal but tight security would remain across the district throughout the day.
A curfew was lifted on Saturday morning following the violence which erupted between Buddhist and Muslim groups on Friday night.
Media reports said the groups had clashed over an accident which had escalated to violence.
Several people were injured in the clashes while some houses were also damaged.
