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Tamil MPs attacked as Sri Lankan security forces stand by

 

Photographs LankaSriNews

Four Tamil MPs and at least 13 others were attacked by a mob carrying the Sri Lankan flag during a public meeting in Kilinochchi on Saturday morning at around 10am.

According to reports members of Sri Lanka's security forces were present but stood idle as the mob of over 100 people shouted at the Tamils present at the meeting, pelting them with stones and attacking them with clubs.

The meeting was that of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and included the MPs M. Senathirajah, MA Sumanthiran, S Shritharan and Saravanabavan.

TNA MP Suresh Premachandran said:

"At least four party MPs were attending the discussion held at the house of our MP S Sritharan. A group of people came carrying the national flag in one hand and stones and clubs in the other and attacked us."

He added that one of the attackers was handed over by the local Tamils present to the Sri Lankan police, and the MPs did not suffer any injuries.

See here for an account by Saravanabavan in Tamil.

The TNA has accused the Sri Lankan army intelligence units of being behind the attack.

 

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