http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110810_04

"A small group of unruly elements could exploit an isolated incident to cause mayhem" - Secretary Defence
The violence and looting raging across London was evidence how a small group of unruly elements could exploit an isolated incident to cause mayhem. Depending on their success, hundreds if not thousands could throw their weight behind a destructive campaign, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said speaking with the Island daily on Tuesday( Aug 09).
Similarly, he said, the recent violent protests at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (EPZ) could have developed into a frightening situation had the government failed to take remedial action, though the police mishandled their task initially resulting in an unfortunate death, the Island reported.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa observed that within 72 hours violence and looting had spread to three other major cities, Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool.
Violence first broke out late Saturday (6) in Tottenham in north London, where outraged protesters demonstrated against the fatal police shooting of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old father of four who was gunned down in disputed circumstances Thursday.
The British press reported that the police from Operation Trident - the unit that investigates gun crime in the black community - stopped a cab he was riding in and shot him dead.
The Defence Secretary said that those critical of the Sri Lankan police tackling violent groups could see what was going on in London. Referring to a letter he received from German ambassador in Colombo Jens Plottner immediately after the incidents at the Katunayake EPZ, the Defence Secretary said that the German diplomat went to the extent of threatening Sri Lanka over the incident. Now that several hundred people had been detained for their alleged involvement in riots it would be interesting to see how the British tackled the post-crisis situation.
Secretary Defence expressed confidence that the UK government would take action to ensure the safety and security of minorities living in London and other major cities.
Responding to a question by The Island, the Defence Secretary said that those encouraging civil unrest in other parts of the world should be aware of the danger in their strategy.