Data from Google Trends indicate a surge in search of the terms ‘Molotov cocktail’ and ‘How to make a petrol bomb’ in the period between 6-8 March, Groundviews reports.

The data also indicates that the search term was entered primarily from the Central Province, which was beset with violence during the corresponding period.

Police recovered nearly 20 petrol bombs in the wake of the clashes that saw as many as 146 people arrested, after homes and establishments were set on fire.

The violence was sparked by the death of a Sinhalese truck driver at the hands of four Muslims on Saturday (3).