Colombo, Aug 19: Sri Lankan armed forces and police have agreed to step up security in the island's embattled east following the killing of five Muslims by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels, officials said. Sri Lanka's main Muslim party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), held talks with Defence Minister Tilak Marapana and military commanders here today on the deteriorating situation in the east, a spokesman said.

SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem, who visited the eastern region yesterday to defuse tension following the latest killing of two Muslim farmers in the village of Sammanturai the day before, asked for more security.

The Tamil Tiger rebels denied involvement in the killings and blamed them on "elements bent on derailing the peace process."

The pro-rebel tamilnet.com web site reported that a Tiger political wing leader identified as Kuyilan has appealed to all to identify the killers.


"Kuyilan appealed to all to join hands to identify persons who were behind these killing and urged Tamils and Muslims in the Ampara district to continue to live in harmony without giving room for anti-peace elements," tamilnet.com said.
Diplomatic sources said the killings were adding to the problems of trying to revive the Norwegian-backed peace talks stalled since April.

Bureau Report