Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, July 05, 2002
Sri Lankan Main Opposition Calls for Government Action on Violence in East
Sri Lanka's main opposition People's Alliance (PA) of President Kumaratunga on Thursday called on the government to act on the inter-communal violence between minority Tamils and Muslims in the east of the country.
Sri Lanka's main opposition People's Alliance (PA) of President Kumaratunga on Thursday called on the government to act on the inter-communal violence between minority Tamils and Muslims in the east of the country.
"It is the responsibility of the government to preserve law andorder in the parts of the east that is under its control. The failure to do so has been the main cause for the dangerous situation that has arisen," the PA said in a statement.
"The PA demands that the prime minister and the minister of defense take immediate action to ensure that the police and the armed forces are given necessary instructions to enable them to carry out their duties properly in the interest of maintaining lawand order and ensuring the security of all citizens." the statement added.
Last week the clashes between Tamils and Muslims in the east ofthe country have left several people dead and scores more injured.A number of shops and houses were also damaged in the clashes.
The situation in the troubled area has gradually returned to normalcy after the army was called in with a curfew in place.