(by Chamitha Kuruppu)

In a move to defuse the tension that has been building up in the East during the past few days a special delegation headed by Minister Milinda Moragoda visited the area yesterday.

Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who met Mr. Moragoda on Saturday after reviewing the situation that was threatening to get out of control directed the minister to undertake this special mission.

The ministerial team met area political leaders, divisional secretaries, army personnel and civic leaders during the visit to find out at first hand the reasons for the disturbances and search for remedial measures to restore normalcy in the East.

According to ministry sources priority was given to measures to restore law and order and also to identify and antisocial elements that may be involved in creating violence that is taking place in the area.

The delegation that left Colombo last morning was due to visit Ampara, Batticaloa and Valachchenai and was due to return by late last evening.

The team included Defence Secretary Austin Fernando, Interior Secretary M.N. Junaid, Rehabilitation Secretary A. Jayaratnam, Acting DIGs T. Ananda Raja and Special Task Force – Deputy Commandant SSP Nimal Lewke. Sources added that Minister Moragoda is hoping to take steps to develop the area in the long term and will not limit the visit only to settle the present crisis.

Riots erupted between Muslims and Tamil civilians in Mutur following the alleged destruction of an LTTE office by Muslim militants.