<b>Tamils and Muslims must work unitedly - Dr Vickramabahu Karunarathne</b>

Colombo: 03 July 2002 Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has proved again its racism by its attempt
to use the unfortunate incident in the Eastern Province for its campaign
against Tamil Autonomy.

Dr Vickramabahu Karunarathne, MPC and the leader of the New Left Front in a press statement alleges that, "It has claimed that this is a further attempt at ethnic cleansing by the LTTE , where as the incident took place in
government controlled area and one of the LTTE of fices too, was destroyed."

The press statement further states: Ranil had to intervene to impose emergency measures including impositon of
curfew in several areas in the East. Both Muslims and Tamils were affected
by the riots. The genuine Muslim grievances should have been highfighted by
the Muslim leaders before it went out of hand to create such a devastation.

On the other hand " though LTTE has assured support to ease tension it
should have avoided any conflict with the suffering Muslim masses in the
North."

Karunarathne appealed to both Tamils and Muslims, to work unitedly to push the peace
process forward and to win equality , autonomy and the right of self
determination for all oppressed communities.