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20 teams to investigate anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka

The police announced it has 20 special investigative teams probing into the recent anti-Muslim riots in southern Sri Lanka that left three Muslims dead, nearly a hundred injured and scores of homes and business establishments burnt to the ground.

In what has been the worst anti-Muslim riots in recent Lankan history the two coastal tourist towns Aluthgama and Beruwela were attacked, looted and burnt by Buddhist extremist mobs last week.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said that in addition to the five teams from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Colombo Crimes Division investigating the attacks, a further 15 special teams had been deployed.

“So far 58 persons have been arrested and 35 have been remanded for the violent incidents in Aluthgama and Beruwala,” said Rohana.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa vowed not to allow “extremist groups” to decide the fate of the nation during an opening ceremony of the bunkering facilities at the southern Hambantota harbour on Sunday.

“I ask the public to join hands with the government to defeat forces that attempt to instigate communal and religious hatred,” said Rajapaksa who has been criticised for not crushing the week-long anti-Muslim riots at its inception. “My government will never allow any community to suppress another,” he said.

— news@khaleejtimes.com