(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Shington june 18 (qna) - the united states condemned religious violence in sri lanka and called on the government to fulfill its obligations to protect religious minorities.
us state department spokeswoman jen psaki said washington was concerned by inflammatory rhetoric that had incited the violence.
"we urge the sri lankan government to fulfill its obligations to protect religious minorities including protecting all citizens and places of worship conducting a full investigation into the violence and bringing those responsible to justice" she told a regular briefing.
"we also urge all sides to refrain from violence exercise restraint and respect the rule of law." at least three muslims were killed and 75 people seriously injured in violence that erupted on sunday between buddhists and muslims in southern sri lankan coastal towns officials and residents said.
it was part of an increasing pattern of violence against muslims in sri lanka since 2012. this has mirrored events in myanmar where there has been a surge of attacks by majority buddhists against muslims.
amnesty international said it was the worst outbreak of communal violence in sri lanka in years and there was a real risk of it spreading further. the rights group said the sri lankan authorities must act immediately to end the anti-muslim violence and to rein in groups targeting religious minorities.
"eyewitness reports that police have stood by and refused to intervene in the violence are very troubling and must also be investigated" amnesty's deputy asia pacific director david griffiths said in a statement.
"security forces have a duty to protect the right of everyone to life and security regardless of their beliefs or identity" he said. (qna)
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