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Hindu Religious Affairs Minister T. Maheswaran in a letter to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged him to place the Security Forces on maximum alert to avert any plans to create communal tension in Colombo and the suburbs.

Referring to a warning by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga that certain elements have planned to create communal disturbances in Colombo today during a joint opposition rally, Minister Maheswaran stated that such a scenario could adversely affect the peace process.

"I observed that you have given instructions to the Interior Minister to investigate and report on this matter. This is the most serious allegation that a President could make about the security of the Tamil people. The mere investigation of this report is inadequate as we cannot allow communal elements to raise their ugly heads again," the Minister said.

"It is only under your leadership that the war has been amicably stopped. While the peace talks are progressing towards a solution to this problem, it is tragic that miscreants are trying to hold the whole country to ransom," he added.

Earlier, President Kumaratunga in a letter to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said she had received reliable information that there was a conspiracy to create communal attacks in Colombo and blame the Opposition. The Prime Minister has instructed security authorities to investigate this claim and take appropriate steps to ensure law and order.

A Police spokesman said security has been beefed up in Colombo and the suburbs. 

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