Man arrested in Sri Lanka over false information on bomb threat to Muslim mosques

COLOMBO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan police on Saturday arrested a 21-year-old man who allegedly provided false information about an impending bomb attack in Akurana, a predominantly Muslim area in the South Asian country.

According to a statement released by the police, the suspect called the online emergency complaint system on April 19 and anonymously provided false information about a bomb threat to mosques in Akurana during Muslim devotees' prayers in the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

Based on the information, special police teams were deployed to Akurana to beef up security in the area.

The false tip-off has raised concerns over security during the Eid al-Fitr festival, and the police have assured the public that steps have been taken to enhance security at all Muslim mosques that will hold ceremonies for the festival in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan security forces increase security measures at religious establishments during all major religious festivals following the Easter Sunday attacks in April 2019 in which over 260 people were killed.