Powers under Emergency Law must be exercised in a proportionate manner : UN

The UN office in Sri Lanka has called on the government to exercise its powers under the Emergency Law in a "proportionate and non-discriminatory manner that would respect the rights of all communities".

Issuing a special statement on yesterday's violent clashes, the UN office urged the government to ensure that the present situation does not escalate. "The United Nations calls on the authorities to hold the perpetrators and inciters of violence to account."

"The responsibility also lies with each citizen to ensure that they do not spread misinformation that would lead to insecurity or cause violence," the release read adding that spewing hateful words will only fuel disunity, tensions, and fears.

The UN statement, however, welcomed the condmenation expressed by political, religious and other community leaders towards the "hate-mongering and violence carried out by a few".

In addition, the UN office pointed out that politicians, security forces, and community leaders must adopt a unified approach in order to come together and rebuild trust among communities.