Sri Lanka blames ‘outside forces, extremists’ for Trinco tension

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 25 May 2005, 20:46 GMT]
The Sri Lankan government Wednesday expressed its concern over the tense situation in Trincomalee due to the controversial Buddha statue and stated that it is “committed to arriving at a solution that would be just and fair by all concerned and in conformity of the law.” The government blamed “outside forces” and “extremist elements” for the tension.

An official statement said the “continuing situation of tension in Trincomalee town [is] caused by a small group of residents, with the assistance of the several outside forces.”

President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge has taken action to resolve the problems that has caused the present tense situation, the statement said.

“First the security of the residents of Trincomalee has been strengthened,” the statement said, without elaborating.

President Kumaratunge had Wednesday sent a team led by Minister Mr. Maithiripala Sirisena,and held “detailed discussion with Mr.Sampanthan, leader of the Tamil national Alliance to seek ways of resolving the problem in a durable manner.”

“A Citizens' Committee has been formed for the District of Trincomalee town, which representatives of political parties, religious leaders, leading professionals and citizens of the area, have been, invited to participate,” the statement added.

“The Government wishes to state that it is committed to arriving at a solution that would be just and fair by all concerned and in conformity of the law,” the statement said.

“The Government appeals to all concerned to remain calm and to act with restraint and not to be provoked by the acts of few extremists' elements.”