Commotion in Parliament over unrest in the East
[July 10, 2002 - 11.00 GMT]

The Parliament was forced to adjourn after the members of the Opposition disrupted proceedings on Tuesday. They displayed their displeasure over the government’s management/mismanagement of Tamil-Muslim violence in the Eastern Province late last month.

Clashes between Tamils and Muslims picked up in the Eastern Province last month, leaving 5 dead and 16 injured. The unrest began after a Muslim group called a general strike against alleged extortion by the LTTE and attacks on them by LTTE supporters.

Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapakse in his address to Parliament said that neither the government nor the ceasefire monitors had been successful in controlling the unfortunate incidents in the East.

The tension, which sparked off in Muttur, Trincomalee and spread to the Valaichchenai area in Batticaloa lasted several days. The government imposed curfew in Valachchenai, failed to prevent a grenade attack there. 

Responding vociferous Opposition’s charges, Minister of Defence Tilak Marapone asked for time to make a statement soon before the parliament. 

The Leader of Sri Lanka's Muslim Party Rauff Hakeem meanwhile met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe yesterday to demand assurances of security for Muslims in the east. He urged the government to reconsider the pullout of troops from areas where minority Muslims live as stipulated by the MoU between the Government and the LTTE. 

President Chandrika Kumaratunga has assured Ms Ferial Ashroff leader of the National Unity Alliance (NUA) that she would take every possible action to safeguard Eastern Province Muslims.

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Last Updated Date: July 10, 2002  - 11.00 GMT.