All Muslim ministers in Sri Lanka resigned on Monday evening calling on the government to end the “hate culture” that has developed in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks claimed by Islamic State group last month.

Ten ministers, including four powerful cabinet ministers, five state ministers and one deputy minister, announced their resignation.

“Innocent people should not be punished. Innocent Muslims are now victims,” said Rauff Hakeem, minister of higher education, referring to the hundreds of arrests made daily under the emergency laws that give sweeping powers to the police to arrest and detain civilians without a warrant.

“We have suffered immensely. We have suffered severe harassment. There are several who are languishing in remands for minor trivial issues,” said Mr Hakeem, addressing a media briefing after several hours of discussion with the prime minister.

The government and military have come under fire by rights activists for unfair arrests over the past five weeks.

Tensions were high on Monday in several parts of the country as extremist Buddhist monks warned of "severe repercussions" if three men, the minister of trade and commerce, and two Muslim governors did not resign.