E-Paper
Muslim killed as vote violence escalates
A Muslim activist was found murdered in eastern Lanka prompting police to step up security in the volatile region ahead of polls.
A Muslim political activist was found murdered in eastern Sri Lanka today prompting police to step up security in the volatile region ahead of April 2 national elections, officials said.
The bruised body of Karldeen Salam, 45, was dumped at a Tamil village in Sammanthurai, police said, adding that they believed the murder was aimed at provoking more violence in the multi-ethnic region.
"We have sent additional police units to the area," a police spokesman in the nearest town of Ampara, 350 kilometres east of Colombo, said by telephone.
The victim was working for a candidate from the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress contesting the April 2 parliamentary elections, officials said. The killing was suspected to be linked to political rivalry.
It is the third death connected with the election campaign.
Death threats from Tamil Tiger rebels forced ruling party candidates in eastern Sri Lanka to withdraw earlier this month.
