UN, US urge SL to probe any excessive use of force

Following series of incidents at filling stations in the recent past between the public and the law enforcement authorities the United Nations and the US have called on the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate any excessive use of force.

“Troubled by images of violence in petrol queues, involving police & army. I urge security services to understand the frustration of citizens spending hours in long lines, & to exercise restraint in the use of force. I call on authorities to investigate any excessive use of force”, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy tweeted.

US ambassador Julie Chung in a tweet also urged authorities to exercise restraint under these difficult circumstances.
 
“As petrol lines & power cuts increase, tensions are naturally rising too. But boiling over will not address SL’s urgent needs. I urge authorities to exercise restraint under these difficult circumstances. Any excessive use of force should be quickly investigated,” the US ambassador tweeted.