The last week has once again seen the Muslim minority in Sri Lanka attacked by armed mobs. While a traffic accident of a few days ago was seen by some as the spark for these new pogroms, the reality is that these latest riots have been well organised. The main suspect is believed to be the hardline Buddhist group – Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), who in the past has already carried out similar attacks. While the government has imposed a State of Emergency, there is fear that powerful elements in Sri Lanka will continue to stoke the fires of ethnic hatred and violence.
The last week has once again seen the Muslim minority in Sri Lanka attacked by armed mobs. While a traffic accident of a few days ago was seen by some as the spark for these new pogroms, the reality is that these latest riots have been well organised. The main suspect is believed to be the hardline Buddhist group – Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), who in the past has already carried out similar attacks. While the government has imposed a State of Emergency, there is fear that powerful elements in Sri Lanka will continue to stoke the fires of ethnic hatred and violence.
