Three prominent Parliamentarians representing Kalutara District, namely Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister Rajitha Senarathne and MP Arjuna Ranatunga, were not present at the crucial meeting which took place in Kalutara today to find a solution to the Sinhala-Muslim problem.

The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathne and was attended by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and many other Parliamentarians. In addition, representatives of the Bodu Bala Sena and those of the Muslim community also participated in the meeting.

Mahinda Samarasinghe is the special Human Rights envoy of the President and he has been a regular member of the government's delegation to Geneva for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Growing antipathy between certain Sinhala and Muslim groups  in the country gained ground as one of the major allegations against Sri Lanka at recent UNHRC sessions. 

Rajitha Senarathne has also been critical of the Bodu Bala Sena in the recent past. Addressing a public meeting, Senarathne once indicated that the BBS was backed by certain elements in the government. Senarathne too was a notable absentee at the meeting which was held at the AGA office in Kalutara this afternoon. 

Although Arjuna Ranathunga represents Kalutara, he never had direct roots to the district. He managed to secure a Parliamentary seat from Kalutara largely due to his popularity as a World Cup winning cricket captain. 

According to the Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Order, the situation in the area is very much under control. However, a heavy police and army presence is still reported in Aluthgama, Beruwala and Dharga Town.