COLOMBO: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate the sectarian violence between Buddhists and Muslims in the country’s southern resort towns and take action against those responsible.
At least four persons were killed and several others injured during clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in Aluthgama and Beruwela, two Muslim-majority towns on southern coast of Sri Lanka, on Sunday and Monday nights.
The clashes erupted during a protest march led by the hardline Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) or Buddhist power force in Aluthgama on Sunday. During the clashes, several shops of Muslims were also burnt and their homes were attacked which forced them to leave their homes and take shelter in community centres.
In a statement, the OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani said that he hoped “every possible effort would be exerted by the Sri Lankan authorities to prevent a further escalation of violence”.
“While appealing for calm and peaceful relations between the communities, Mr Madani urged the authorities to enforce the rule of law, investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice,” an OIC statement said.
Sri Lankan police arrest 49 people during an overnight crackdown
On the other hand, the Sri Lankan police claimed to have arrested 49 people during an overnight crackdown over deadly anti-Muslim riots in the region.
“We have already arrested 49 and remanded 25 of them and further arrests will take place today,” the Sri Lanka police spokesman Ajith Rohana said on Wednesday.
Hundreds of troops were deployed to help police contain the violence.
