Muslim groups documented over two hundred incidents of threats, harassment and violence against Muslims, Christians and their places of worship in 2013; fifty-one reportedly involved violence. Attacks against members of the. Muslim minority continued and escalated in 2014 when large scale violence in a Muslim neighbourhood in Aluthgama in June killed and injured residents and destroyed homes and businesses. In connection with the violence in Aluthgama, Beruwala and in several other places, witnesses told Sri Lankan human rights defenders that members of the security forces stood by during attacks, or failed to arrive at the scene until after people had been seriously injured. A media blackout limited public access to information about the spreading violence and the Sri Lankan government's response was slow and muted. More recently there have been fewer reported attacks on Muslim and Christian minorities in Sri Lanka. However the situation demands close attention, including by the United Nations presence in Sri Lanka. A Presidential election will be held in Sri Lanka on 8 January 2015. There is a long history of electoral violence in Sri Lanka, and there is a risk that the recent violence against minorities will be renewed in the context of the election. The United Nations, including the Human Rights Council, must be attentive to this risk and be prepared to assert its authority to prevent further violence and to respond robustly to violence if it occurs. Thank you Mr Chairman.