Muslims in eastern Sri Lanka staged a protest on Thursday against the recent arrest of an outspoken Muslim politician.

Shops in the eastern town of Ampara were shut and public transport came to a standstill in support of Muslim politician Azath Salley.

Salley was arrested recently over allegations that he had made statements which could create communal disharmony.

State media later reported that there were reports he had links with terrorist groups.

Human rights groups have called on the government to either charge Salley or release him.

Salley has been detained for at least 90 days pending investigations into the allegations against him.

Meanwhile a public statement signed by several individuals, clergy, organizations and politicians, vehemently condemned the arrest and detention of Azath Salley.

The statement said that Salley was arrested under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and he has been placed under detention for further interrogation.

The statement said that the unlawful arrest and detention of Salley is in a context where there have been increasing attacks and threats against minorities, a growing spate of incidents of religious intolerance, and clamping down of critics of the government and dissent on the whole.

Since his arrest, he has been moved from police Criminal Department to the National Hospital after he collapsed due to lack of food, water and medication. Salley has been on a hunger strike since his arrest.

"There are concerns his condition can deteriorate if not urgently addressed, as he is a diabetic and in need of medication, " the statement said. Endi