Police arrests two in Sri Lanka as mobs attack Muslim-owned shops

Sri Lankan police arrested two people after mobs attacked Muslim-owned shops in one of the towns where a Catholic church was targeted in multiple suicide bombings in April.

Two weeks after 257 people were killed by Islamist militants in hotels and churches across the country, police were hunting plotters on the loose as fears grew of ethnic clashes targeting Muslims.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Hundreds of security forces entered Negombo, north of Colombo, to impose a curfew Sunday night after dozens of Muslim-owned shops, homes and vehicles were attacked by Catholics.

The curfew was lifted early Monday. Local media cited police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara as saying that the violence was brought under control.

Reports also cited locals saying attackers burned a three-wheeler taxi and a motorbike while a gem-seller said about 400 people stoned his shop.

Military spokesman Sumith Atapattu said Sunday several people had been injured in clashes in the town.

To control the situation, the government had blocked some social media sites overnight which was lifted early today.

St. Sebastian's church in the town 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of capital Colombo was one of three churches and three hotels hit by suicide bombers on April 21, killing 257 people.

"I appeal to all Catholic and Christian brothers and sisters not to hurt even a single Muslim person because they are our brothers because they are part of our religious culture," said Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo.

"Therefore please avoid hurting them and try to create a better spirit of understanding and good relations between all the communities of Sri Lanka," he said in a video message to the country.

Muslims make up around 10% of Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka's 21 million population and Christians about 7.6%