Several bustling cities in Sri Lanka came to a standstill today with the launch of a hartal campaign countrywide against anti-Muslim violence that erupted on Sunday.

MRO National Organiser M. A. Sharafdeen

Organized by the Muslim Rights Organization (MRO), it severely affected the daily activities of several Muslim dominated areas including Kattankudi and Kalmunai. Certain parts in Colombo too were impacted to which includes Pettah, Maligawatte and Maradana.

MRO National Organiser and UNP Municipal Councilor M. A. Sharafdeen said in the next couple of days, they will be organizing similar actions, urging the government to take immediate action to arrest those responsible for the anti-Muslim violence that erupted in Southern Sri Lanka. They are also calling on the government to arrange a prompt and reasonable compensation scheme to those affected by the violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala earlier this week.

“Despite the President’s promise to the residents of Aluthgama yesterday of arresting the responsible culprits, the public has lost faith in his words. We are not afraid to say that his brother Gotabaya is directly involved in these attacks on Muslims. So we wish to see his promises put into action,” Sharafdeen said.

North and East provinces were also said to have been heavily impacted by the Hartal campaign. Among other areas that were impacted were Negombo, Panadura, Ampara, Malwana and Mannar.