Police Media Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said since 4th March up to Friday 146 suspects have been arrested in connection with the communal clashes unleashed in Kandy.
The suspects, who were apprehended for violating the curfew imposed in Kandy will be produced before the court on the charges citing under the emergency regulations. Those who were proven to be guilty in court for their unruly behavior during the state of emergency could be given a seven-year prison sentence, the spokesman said.
The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has apprehended 10 suspects in connection with the violent incidents in Kandy. A 14-day detention order has been issued for the ten suspects arrested over the incidents and they were brought down to Colombo for further investigations, SP Gunasekara said.
Among the ten suspects were two residents from Digana, one each from Theldeniya, Yakkala, Balangoda, Peradeniya and Dambulla and three residents from Chilaw.
He said that three suspects were apprehended for publishing statements on Internet promoting discrimination between the communities. One suspect has been identified as a 17-year-old from Homagama while the other who is 18-years-old from Kollupitiya.
The Spokesman said the ongoing investigations are aimed at identifying the individuals who have provided financial support for the suspects. The police are conducting investigations to determine who were indirectly involved in the incidents occurred.
Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that police, Special Task Force (STF) and security forces will be kept deployed in the Kandy Administrative District to ensure security and maintain law & Order.
