Admitting that the United National Party (UNP) government did not take adequate action to prevent racial riots in July 1983, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that the present regime should not make the same mistake.

 “There were shortcomings on the part of our United National Party (UNP) government of 1983 as we did not take adequate action prevent Black July 1983 and the same mistake should not be repeated,” he said addressing a meeting of religious leaders and heads of civil society at the parliamentary complex this afternoon.

Mr. Wickremsinghe said the issues between the Sinhalese and the Muslims had not ended though the riots in Aluthgama and Beruwala had ended and that the government should see to it that matters are resolved before they get out of hand.

The Most Venerable Girambe Ananda Anunayaka Thera, who also addressed the meeting, stressed the need for the preservation of peace and goodwill between the Muslims and the Sinhalese.

The Venrable Thinyawala Palitha Thera also highlighted the fact that both the Sinhalese and the Muslims suffered as a result of the clashes created by some interested groups. (Yohan Perera and Darshana Sanjeewa)