Three Muslims were shot dead amidst clashes with hard-line Buddhists, as the BBC's Charles Haviland reports
At least three Muslims have been killed in overnight clashes with hardline Buddhists in southern Sri Lanka.
The men died of gunshot wounds near a mosque in the town of
Aluthgama in what is seen as Sri Lanka's worst outbreak of sectarian
violence in years. More than 78 others have been seriously injured in the violence, justice minister Rauf Hakeem said. A curfew is in place in Aluthgama and nearby Beruwala. Muslims make up 10% of Sri Lanka's mainly Buddhist population.
The men who were killed were shot after midnight following
several hours of clashes between two factions in which stones and
bottles were lobbed, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Aluthgama.
Mr Hakeem, a Muslim, said he was "outraged" at the police
failure to keep law and order and that the authorities had allowed
Buddhists to demonstrate three days after a smaller sectarian clash in
the area, involving Muslim youths and a Buddhist monk's driver.
He said he was "ashamed" to be part of the government. He
made his remarks as he visited areas which have been caught up in the
violence.
The authorities imposed a curfew after clashes began
following a rally by the BBS, the Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Brigade in
Aluthgama on Sunday.
Eyewitness accounts tell of Muslims being pulled off local
buses and beaten. There are also reports of looting as well as shops
being burned.
Muslim shops were burned and looted in the town
Clashes broke out as Buddhists marched into Muslim populated areas
The rally by the Buddhist BBS took place when tensions were already high
'Act in restraint'
After its rally, the BBS marched into Muslim areas chanting
anti-Muslim slogans, reports say, and the police used tear gas to quell
the violence. Unconfirmed reports say security forces also used gunfire.
Witnesses say Muslim homes and a mosque were stoned.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has announced an investigation.
"The government will not allow anyone to take the law into
their own hands. I urge all parties concerned to act in restraint," he
tweeted.
Correspondents say tension has recently been high between the
two sides, with Muslims calling on the government to protect them from
hate attacks by Buddhists, and Buddhists accusing minorities of enjoying
too much influence.
For the past couple of years, Sinhalese Buddhist revivalist
groups have been staging demonstrations heavily laden with anti-Muslim
rhetoric, usually led by monks, our correspondent reports
BBC