Sri Lankan security forces are stepping up their efforts to search for Islamic extremists, nearly a week after the Easter Sunday bombings. On Friday, troops killed 8 suspected ISIL militants in the country's eastern region. 7 civilians were also killed in the exchange of fire.

Earlier, the military said it recovered flags belonging to the Islamic State, literature and some other objects from a house, also in the east. It's reportedly where terrorists recorded a video pledge to ISIL, before carrying out the bombings. Meanwhile, Muslim refugees are moving to safer places, amid hostility from Christian communities and locals. Our Ravinder Bawa managed to speak to some of them in the town of Negombo.

Untouched by the hostility all around them, these refugee babies are comfortable in their new home. After the Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka, an unexpected conflict has erupted. In a backlash, about a 1,000 refugees from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan living in asylum Negombo town, had to vacate their rented accommodations.

SAJAL PAKISTANI REFUGEE "Everyone tells me that they cannot give their homes to anyone, to Pakistanis or Afghanistan, on rent or not. And we don't know where we will live."

ISMAIL BURHANI AFGHAN REFUGEE "I am afraid that what will happen to my children. It is difficult for us. We don't have anything to eat, cannot go out to purchase something."

These refugee men living in asylum tell CGTN, that they were attacked and had to run for their safety to the police station.

KASHIF LATEEF PAKISTANI REFUGEE "I was going down the street and a Sri Lankan man shouted at me in a different language and he started punching me. We left our bike and helmet there and ran."

MAHDI AFGHAN REFUGEE "How would you feel if you escape your country because of terrorists to other countries like Sri Lanka. They treat you like you've been the reason for that tragedy."

CGTN went to the areas where refugees lived. But despite efforts, no one was willing to speak except this man without revealing his identity.  

NEGOMBO RESIDENT "There is a problem with Muslim. I don't like ISIS Muslim. That's the problem. That's why."

Since the attack, this town with mixed ethnicity has been on the edge and communal tensions is building up.

ROOKI FERNANDO HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN NEGOMBO "The apprehensions is that these incidents might escalate unless we nip them in the bud right now. That's why it's very important to address them right now in the first few days so that they don't get out of hand, they don't get widespread."

The religious leaders have identified the undercurrent. Candlelight Vigils like these are being organised for peace and harmony.

RAVINDER BAWANEGOMBO, SRI LANKA "Easter Sunday attacks have been a big blow to the coexistence of refugees with the locals, or Muslims with Christians. Ethnic tensions are growing in the country. Although the religious leader's appeals have been helpful, more needs to be done for peace to prevail. RB, CGTN, Negombo."