“Three deaths have occurred,” Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem told reporters in Alutgama, blaming hardline Buddhist mobs for the violence.
Hakeem, who represents the minority Muslim community in the cabinet, made the comments as he inspected the damage from the violence.
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.
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.
Hakeem, who represents the minority Muslim community in the cabinet, made the comments as he inspected the damage from the violence.
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http://www.scmp.com/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.
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http://news.yahoo.com/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.
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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27864716
