Muslim leaders condemn Pottuvil massacre

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 September 2006, 04:37 GMT]
Rauff Hakeem, the Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) in a statement issued Monday condemned the massacre of 10 Muslims in Pottuvil in Amparai district and . "The perpetrators of this horrendous act, whoever they are, should be punished severely and a thorough investigation should be held to bring the murderers to light" Mr. Hakeem said in his statement.

Meanwhile, Ferial Ashraff, the Minister of Housing and Construction and the leader of the National United Front (NUA) and a constituent of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government headed by President Mahinda Rajapakse has strongly condemned the massacre and requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take urgent steps to diffuse prevailing tensionby strengthening security measures in the region.

The minister has requested the public not to be inflamed by the circumstances and to end the 'hartal' organised by them, sources said.