Sri Lankan Muslims protest demolition of mosque

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Hundreds of Muslims in Sri Lanka have protested a government decision to demolish a mosque located inside a Buddhist sacred area.

Sri Lankan officials announced Monday that a mosque and a Hindu temple would be demolished and relocated under pressure from Buddhist monks who demanded the buildings' removal from a Buddhist sacred area in the central town of Dambulla.

Thousands of Buddhist monks and lay supporters stormed the mosque last week, saying it was constructed illegally.

On Friday, hundreds of Muslims gathered in front of the Davatagaha mosque in the capital, Colombo, and staged a protest, shouting slogans and displaying placards. They demanded that authorities arrest those who attacked the Dambulla mosque last week.