COLOMBO, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday ordered his Law and Order Minister to thoroughly probe incidents related to racism in the island country and take stern action against those involved.
Minister of National Co-Existence and Dialogue Mano Ganeshan told Xinhua that during a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, he had informed the president that there had been incidents of racial attacks against the minority Tamils and Muslims in the recent weeks.
Ganeshan said that the president also instructed his cabinet that he would not tolerate any acts of racism and if any such attacks take place, then stern action would be taken against those responsible.
"Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that if such attacks occur, then the area police officers will be held responsible. The government will not tolerate any acts of racism," Ganeshan said.
He further said that the recent attack on a mosque in Kurunegala in northwestern Sri Lanka and the attack on shops owned by minority Tamils and Muslims on Tuesday morning were all part of a conspiracy to topple the government.
He added that the Police Chief would also be informed of the decision taken at the cabinet meeting.
