Thu, May 9, 2013, 09:37 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 09, Ampara: Muslims in Eastern Sri Lanka have staged a protest today demanding the resale of detained Muslim politician Azath Salley.
Hundreds of Muslims in the Eastern province town of Ampara participated in the protest against the detention of Salley who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Reports form Ampara said shops remained closed in the town and public transport has come to a standstill to show support for the detained Muslim politician.
The shops were closed and roads were mostly empty in Muslim dominated eastern towns like Maruthanai, Kalmunai, Pottuvil, Saidumarudu, Ninthavur, Oluvil, Attalachchanai, Sammanthurai and Akkaraipattu.
One person was arrested by military and handed over to police under suspicion of pelting stones at a bus which was running in Attalachchanai area, police said.
A Muslim organization in the area has called for the people to participate in the hartal protest tomorrow also.
The former deputy mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council has been detained for 90 days under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) for violating clause 21 of the PTA.
He is alleged of making statements locally and internationally in a manner to create conflicts between the Muslim community and the government and incite violence.