Sri Lanka has imposed a nationwide curfew following a spate of crimes against Muslims in the wake of the Easter bombings.

Footage shows police officers patrolling the streets in Marawila on May 15.

Police have arrested more than 70 people who allegedly took part in attacks on Muslim-owned houses and shops.

More than 60 people were arrested in connection with the violence in the North-Western Province and in Minuwangoda, 33 of them were remanded.Nine suspects who were found to have been directly involved in violence and remanded till May 27 after being produced in the Hettipola Magistrate's Court, while 10 more suspects were remanded till May 27 after being produced in the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate's Court.The remaining 14 suspects were arrested in Minuwangoda and remanded till May 29 after being produced in the Minuwangoda Magistrate's Court.Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested in Matara on charges of inciting racism via social media platforms. They were also remanded till May 27.Tri-forces personnel were deployed in the areas where tension prevailed and that they had been instructed to take strict action against the lawbreakers.Several shops, houses and religious places were damaged when mobs attacked them and were set ablaze in several areas in the North Western Province and in Minuwangoda. An individual was reported to have been killed during the violence.

Marawila Magistrate Sirimewan Mahendraraja ordered 31 suspects, who were arrested over creating unrest in several areas including Naththandiya and Kottaramulla, to be remanded for 14 days.

Following the order the relatives of the arrested individuals started acting violently at the court premises and Police, Army and Anti-Riot Squad controlled the situation.