aluthgama report final

procession and the attacks, affected Muslims were quick to point out that they attempted to
defend themselves. For instance, in relation to the procession we were told that while the
Sinhalese came armed and prepared the Muslims only had stones with which to fight back,
“just like in Palestine,” one person said. In another instance, in Seenawatte, one person stated
that the people of the area were capable of looking after themselves, that it is the STF that
prevented them from doing so while facilitating the attacks by the armed mobs. In Welipitiya,
Seenawatte and Adhikarigoda and Military road we found evidence of persons attempting to
hold the mobs at bay. This resulted in two deaths and many injuries.
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