Stern action against those attempting racial disharmony

COLOMBO: The Government will take stern measures against any persons who attempt to sow racial disharmony by indulging in unlawful activities, the Government Information Department said yesterday.

The most inhuman and brutal harassment of the Muslim population in Muttur by the LTTE has invited universal condemnation across the ethnic divide.

The Government has moved in swiftly to provide relief to the Muttur Muslims now living in schools and religious centres and the President has immediately allocated funds to ensure that the displaced persons are provided with food and other essential items.

Several ministers and officials have visited the East to look into the relief work and steps are being taken to provide a secure atmosphere in Muttur for the displaced persons to return to their homes early, it added.

While the Government is taking all possible steps to bring normality and relief to the displaced, some elements with vested interest have been taking undue advantage of the tragic situation to instigate a communal backlash.

The clear intention of these elements is to create disharmony among the different communities living in multi ethnic cities with exemplary unity and coexistence.

The Government will take a very serious view on such heinous attempts and will take stern measures against any persons who would attempt to sow racial disharmony by indulging in unlawful activities.

The Government also appeals to the vast majority of law abiding citizens to be vigilant and act with utmost caution and restraint in the face of treacherous attempts to harm the multiethnic fabric of the Sri Lankan society.