Published 18:43 IST, May 15th 2019

'Unite as Sri Lankans, be peaceful, keep each other safe': Kumar Sangakkara urges citizens to maintain peace after riots broke out in the island nation

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara Tuesday urged his countrymen to get united and maintain peace following the communal riots in the island nation. 'Unite as Sri Lankans, be peaceful, keep each other safe': Kumar Sangakkara urges citizens to maintain peace after communal riots.

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'Unite as Sri Lankans, be peaceful, keep each other safe': Kumar Sangakkara urges citizens to maintain peace after riots broke out in the island nation

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Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara Tuesday urged his countrymen to get united and maintain peace following the communal riots in the island nation.

READ: To Be A Sri Lankan Is To Be Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian: UN Officials

Sangakkara, who was appointed the first non-British president of prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) earlier this month, expressed shock at the communal riots in the island nation.

"STOP. BREATHE. THINK. OPEN YOUR EYES. If we lose ourselves in violence, racism, thuggery and hatred we lose our country. Unite as Sri Lankans, be peaceful, keep each other safe. Do not give into shameful, divisive political agendas. WE HEAL AND RISE TOGETHER AS ONE NATION," wrote the former left-handed batsman on his Twitter page.

STOP. BREATHE. THINK. OPEN YOUR EYES. If we lose ourselves in violence, racism, thuggery and hatred we lose our country. Unite as Sri Lankans, be peaceful, keep each other safe. Do not give into shameful, divisive political agendas. WE HEAL AND RISE TOGETHER AS ONE NATION
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 14, 2019

Sri Lanka imposed a nationwide curfew for a second straight night and arrested several people after Sinhalese mob attacks on Muslim-owned shops, vehicles and mosques left one person dead.

The communal violence worsened following the deadly Easter terror attacks that claimed over 250 lives.

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Let us stand together and unite as one Sri Lanka to help the victims of the tragedy that took place on the 21st of April by providing aid that will help them rebuild their lives. Donate now on https://www.gofundme.com/zc3n56-sri-lanka-uniteasone to help Sri Lanka during its hour of need. Join us. Let's #UniteAsOne. Sri Lanka #UniteAsOne, an initiative by Trail in partnership with Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, aims to raise USD 1 million to be channeled to dedicated projects structured by the Sri Lanka Red Cross focusing on: - Immediate health and livelihood requirements - Providing psychosocial support - Education - Strengthening ethnic harmony and understanding Let’s unite to restore and rebuild our nation.

A post shared by Kumar Sangakkara Personal Page (@sangalefthander) on Apr 30, 2019 at 4:10am PDT

READ: Sri Lankan Catholics Hold First Sunday Mass Since Easter Attacks

Suicide bombers exploded themselves in three churches and three luxury hotels besides two other places on April 21, and the bombings were claimed by the Islamic State.

Updated 19:01 IST, May 15th 2019