Muslim protesters blamed the government for insecurity (Photo Thakshila Dilrukshi)

He was speaking after a tour in Welikanda area where 2 Muslims were killed by unidentified gunmen last week.

K M Kuththoos and Segu Mohammed was shot dead in Athugala in the Polonnaruwa district on the 6th of October.

Muslims in Welikanda staged protests demanding more security.

Rauff Hakim who toured the area on Sunday said "providing the security of Muslims in border villages is the duty of the government."

Muslim homeguards should be given 24 hour access to arms

He added that the government security forces are not able to respond immediately in an emergency due to the distance between the camps and villages.

Therefore, "to safeguard Muslims in border villages Muslim homeguards should be given 24 hour access to arms" said the SLMC leader talking to BBC Sandeshaya from Polonnaruwa.

"The Inspector General of Police will be informed of the suspected Tamil group responsible for the killings when I return to Colombo," said Rauff Hakim adding that it is a group that is not bound by the ceasefire agreement.

An increase of armed Tamil group activities have been reported from Polonnaruwa district since LTTE eastern commander Karuna broke away in March.