Sri Lankan police instituted a curfew in Galle on Friday night, amid reports that a number of Muslim homes and businesses in Gintota were attacked by Sinhala mobs.
Police spokesperson, Ruwan Gunasekara was quoted by Ada Derana as saying a curfew was imposed until 9am on Saturday in Kurunduwatta, Maha Hapugala, Welipitimodara, Ukwatta, Ginthota and Piyandigama Grama Sevaka Divisions.
According to the paper, riot police and Special Task Force officers were deployed to the area to bring the mobs under control.
Sri Lanka's Home Affairs minister Vajira Abeywardena attempted to downplay the reports, stating that it was a "minor" incident that was being portrayed as a racist incident.
Since the end of the armed conflict in 2009, Muslim communities across the Sinhala south have been targetted on a number of occasions by mobs, with homes and businesses being burnt.
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