3 Sri Lankan Muslims killed in clash with Buddhists

ALUTHGAMA, Jun 16 (agencies): Three Muslims were killed and dozens of people were injured after members of a hard-line Buddhist group with alleged state backing clashed with Muslims in southwestern Sri Lanka, officials said Monday.   

Dozens of shops were burned, homes looted and some mosques attacked in the violence Sunday night in the town of Aluthgama, local residents said.   Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem accused his own government of failing to protect Muslims from the mob led by monks from Bodu Bala Sena, or Buddhist Force, which has been engaged in an anti-Muslim campaign in recent years.