The United States on Tuesday cautioned its citizens in Sri Lanka to take extra safety measures and to be on the alert for violence in the run-up to Parliamentary elections in October. In a public announcement, the state department noted that previous polls in the island nation had been marred by violence, arson, beatings and killings.
Although all parties have condemned election violence, similar incidents could occur in connection with the upcoming elections, the announcement said.
It also advised citizens to avoid political rallies and government and military installations, all of which have been targeted by the liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam in its bloody fight for independence.
The statement was issued a week after an opposition activist was shot dead in Sri Lanka, fuelling fears of a rising wave of poll-related violence. Bureau Report