President urges restraint on Aluthgama incident
June 15, 2014 11:51 pm
President Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged all parties to exercise restraint regarding the situation which unfolded in the Aluthgama area, following clashes between two religious groups.
Earlier today police declared curfew in the Beruwala police area and Aluthgama police area until further notice, in an attempt bring the situation under control.
The President, who is currently attending the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77+China in Bolivia, issued an urgent message over the occurrences.
President Rajapaksa’s message on the Aluthgama incident: “The Government will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. I urge all parties concerned to act in restraint.
“An investigation will be held for the law to take its course of action to bring to book those responsible for incidents in Aluthgama,” he said.
Religious tension had been escalating in the area in recent months following the torching of several Muslim-owned shops and other similar incidents.
The latest incident came when a Muslim youth allegedly manhandled a Buddhist monk and his driver on the Poson Poya Day. Police arrested three suspects over the incident.
According to reports, simmering tensions between the Buddhist groups and Muslims had escalated into clashes while police Special Task Force (STF) personnel were deployed in the area to restore normalcy.
Earlier today police declared curfew in the Beruwala police area and Aluthgama police area until further notice, in an attempt bring the situation under control.
The President, who is currently attending the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the G77+China in Bolivia, issued an urgent message over the occurrences.
President Rajapaksa’s message on the Aluthgama incident: “The Government will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. I urge all parties concerned to act in restraint.
“An investigation will be held for the law to take its course of action to bring to book those responsible for incidents in Aluthgama,” he said.
Religious tension had been escalating in the area in recent months following the torching of several Muslim-owned shops and other similar incidents.
The latest incident came when a Muslim youth allegedly manhandled a Buddhist monk and his driver on the Poson Poya Day. Police arrested three suspects over the incident.
According to reports, simmering tensions between the Buddhist groups and Muslims had escalated into clashes while police Special Task Force (STF) personnel were deployed in the area to restore normalcy.
