Colombo to probe Muslims’ killing

Published December 3, 2003

COLOMBO, Dec 2: President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on Tuesday ordered a full investigations into the harassment and murder of three Muslims in the east over the weekend, purportedly by the LTTE.

The order came after the military hierarchy under the orders of President Kumaratunge met today for a high-powered meeting to discuss the situation in the eastern region which has been continually seeing unrest with clashes between the LTTE and the Muslims.

President Kumaratunge who is at present directly responsible for defence matters after her takeover of the Ministry of Defence on Nov 4, has ordered the military to take all measures to control any harassment to Muslims by the LTTE in the eastern region, an area largely populated by Muslims. Orders have also been issued by the President to conduct raids on suspected persons related to the instigation of clashes between Muslims and Tamils in the region.

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