Photograph Uthayan

A family in Mullaitivu were threatened by Sri Lankan military intelligence officers following a visit to their home by the British High Commissioner John Rankin.

Rankin travelled to the Puthukkudiyiruppu region of Mullaitivu on Tuesday, to speak directly to Tamil families about the problems they faced.

Following his visit intelligence officers arrived at the house and "threatened" the family, the Jaffna based newspaper, Uthayan, reports.

The family was one of three households visited by the High Commissioner during his trip.

“The actual proceedings of the meeting are being kept under wraps, with the press release saying nothing. But we hear that the issue of the release of boats created a deadlock."

Sri Lankan minister SB Dissanayake said the time has come to protect President Mahinda Rajapaksa as there are attempts to “create another war”, Colombo Gazette reported.

The Higher Education Minister said that groups on the island are attempting to divide the country and destabilise the nation, funded by “powerful countries”.

The National Freedom Front, an ally in the Rajapaksa-led UPFA coalition, has warned Muslims in Sri Lanka on “following Arabic culture” in the clothes they wear, as it could lead to divisions amongst the communities, reported Colombo Gazette.

Media Spokesman of the NFF, Mohammed Muzammil said that historically, Muslim women in Sri Lanka covered their heads using the saari and not the ‘Abaya’, which is prevalent in the Middle East.