The leader of the new political front - 'Unity of Diversity', Asath Salley, has been arrested by Sri Lanka's CID (Criminal Investigations Department).

Sally, who was also the former Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council and the founder of the Muslim Tamil National Alliance, was arrested at his home in Kolonnawa.

According to the police spokesperson, Buddhika Siriwardena the arrest was made following 'several complaints' made against him.

Last month the Buddhist monk group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) threatened to take Salley to court if he alleged that BBS was inciting racial violence in Sri Lanka.

The BBS General Secretary, Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said at the time:

"As of now, we have not made an exact decision to take the MTNA to Court. Several media organizations have reported the MTNA Founder, Azath Salley, has accused the BBS of attacking mosques and spreading racial hatred against the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. If we find that Salley has indeed made such accusations, we will definitely take the matter to Court."

During the same time, Salley was summoned by the CID for questionning, presumed to be as a result of a letter he wrote to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

“After the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam, the Muslims of Sri Lanka have been looking at every opportunity to bring about national unity at a time when the country is in transition. We fail to understand the failure of the government of Sri Lanka in arresting the current trend which if left to go its course, would spell disaster for the country we call our home,” the letter said.