There have been increased levels of anti-Muslim violence in Sri-Lanka in recent weeks. The increase in violence has in part been blamed on Buddist groups, thought to be an act of retaliation following the April attack that killed more than 250 people.
In the Sri-Lankan town of Kandy, police lined the streets on Sunday and the Army was on standby as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) gathered. The head of the BBS had called for more than 10 000 Clergymen to attend the meeting.
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Many Muslim shopkeepers and business owners reportedly closed on Sunday out of fear of violence from hard-line groups such as the BBS. The BBS is one of the hard-line groups leading the campaign against extremism.
The BBS has said the meeting was to discuss the upcoming Presidential election, that will take place later this year. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the influential head of the BBS has faced allegations of inciting violence against Muslims.
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