Riots break out in Colombo

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Rioting has broken out between Muslims and Buddhists in a neighborhood of the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

The Sri Lankan government has imposed a curfew on parts of Colombo following the riots between the Muslims and majority Sinhalese.

The clashes apparently erupted over plans to build a mosque.

Witnesses say some houses and vehicles have been set on fire and police say they are worried the violence will spread after dark.

There was no immediate information on casualties in Maligawatta in central Colombo.

"A few helicopters are circling and a few houses and vehicles are burning," one witness told Reuters news agency.

The clash also closed roads, leading to traffic jams in that area of the city.

Earlier this month violent clashes in the east of the island left about seven people dead, but the riots in Colombo are not believed to be related.

The violence came as representatives from the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels headed for a second round of peace talks in Thailand to end a two-decade ethnic war that has killed 64,000 people.

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