by Norman Palihawadane

No organisation nor any individual will be allowed to distribute leaflets that arouse communal feelings among the people, Inspector General of Police, Lucky Kodituwakku said yesterday.

He was referring to several leaflets under litle ‘Api Sinhala’ that had been distributed and are now in the possession of police intelligence.

He said investigations into the distribution of these leaflets had already begun and the culprits would be severely dealt with.

The Inspector General of Police stressed that the law would be strictly enforced against all organisations and individuals attempting to arouse communal feelings and they would be arrested forth-with.

With regard to the Mawanella incident the Inspector General of Police said that a police team led by DIG, Anandarajah has been deployed to investigate whether there were any shortcomings on the part of the police in controlling the clashes that erupted. "But as far as I am aware there had been no shortcomings on the part of Mawanella police in controlling these clashes", Inspector General of Police said.

Meanwhile Colombo Division DIG Gerard Ignatius said that any unlawful demonstrations in the Colombo city would be tear-gassed and baton-charged and culprits arrested forthwith.