Sri Lanka makes first arrest over hate crimes against Muslims

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police have arrested a key figure from an extremist Buddhist organisation blamed for a series of hate crimes against Muslims that has drawn international censure, reports AFP.
The 32-year-old man from the radical Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Force, is the first suspect to be arrested in connection with arson attacks against Muslims that have stoked religious tensions.
Police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said investigations were continuing into 16 "major incidents" of arson since April that hit Muslim homes, businesses, mosques and a cemetery.
"We are taking a tough stand against such crimes," he told reporters.
The man in custody was directly linked to at least four arson attacks in a Colombo suburb, police said. 

Sri Lanka makes first arrest over hate crimes against Muslims

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police have arrested a key figure from an extremist Buddhist organisation blamed for a series of hate crimes against Muslims that has drawn international censure, reports AFP. The 32-year-old man from the radical Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Force, is the first suspect to be arrested in connection with arson attacks against Muslims that have stoked religious tensions. Police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody said investigations were continuing into 16 major incidents of arson since April that hit Muslim homes, businesses, mosques and a cemetery. We are taking a tough stand against such crimes, he told reporters. The man in custody was directly linked to at least four arson attacks in a Colombo suburb, police said.