Mob led by monks from extremist group with alleged state backing

Three Muslims were killed and dozens of people were injured after members of a hard-line Buddhist group with alleged state backing clashed with Muslims in southwestern Sri Lanka, officials said on Monday.

Dozens of shops were burned, homes looted and some mosques attacked in the violence on Sunday night in Aluthgama, local residents said.

Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem accused his own government of failing to protect Muslims from the mob led by monks from Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Force, which has been engaged in an anti-Muslim campaign in recent years.

The group is believed to enjoy state support. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's powerful defense secretary and the brother of the country's president, once made a public appearance supporting the group's cause.

Hakeem said three Muslims died in the violence. Residents said all three were men. Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said 31 people were hospitalized with injuries.

Police fired teargas and imposed a curfew but were unable to prevent several dozen shops and homes from being attacked in the two predominantly Muslim towns of Aluthgama and Beruwala, around 60 km south of the capital Colombo.

A spokesman for Bodu Bala Sena could not immediately be reached for comment. The group said representatives were scheduled to meet with reporters later on Monday to clarify its position.

Local Muslims said the clash was triggered by a dispute between some Muslims and the driver of a Buddhist monk. The monk said the Muslims attacked him, but the Muslims denied the accusation.

Hakeem said he had pleaded with authorities to stop a Buddhist rally across Muslim villages and towns on Sunday, fearing clashes, but that his request was not heeded.

"I am ashamed I am unable to protect my people," he said. "The law and order mechanism has failed to protect innocent people."

Associated Press journalists saw dozens of shops gutted, as well as motorbikes and bicycles piled up in one place and set on fire. Both of the affected towns are popular beach resorts frequented by international tourists, but there were no reports of any foreigners or hotels being caught up in the violence.

President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is currently visiting Bolivia, said in a statement that he would not allow "anyone to take the law into their own hands" and also urged "restraint".

The latest unrest came weeks after Muslim legislators asked Rajapakse to protect their community from "Buddhist extremist elements" blamed for a recent spate of hate attacks.

AP-AFP

(China Daily 06/17/2014 page11)