June 17, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Opposition and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe made a special statement today in the parliament regarding the communal violence that took place in the coastal towns of Aluthgama and Beruwala and other areas.

Wickremasinghe said the government had allowed the individuals to take the law in to their hands and inquired why the police that acted against the students who were marching for free education did not prevent the violence.

The Opposition Leader asked for a full report on the incident and asked the Prime Minister to explain why the government remained inactive as the incident took place.

The UNP leader said he wanted to know who the officials that allowed the controversial meeting and the organizers behind it.

He pointed out that the leading Buddhist monks who could resolve the conflict through discussions with the Muslim leaders were sidelined and the monks were brought from outside to this event.

The opposition leader also urged to call a meeting of the party leaders to discuss the steps to stop the violence.