Preisdent says the killings were an attempt to discredit the government

The president's office said police inactivity in the face of rising crime and allegations of human rights violations by the security forces had led to Sri Lanka being portrayed as a country where people lived in a climate of terror.

"The president expects a more responsible intervention from the police to prevent the current wave of crime, the violence, extortion, human rights violations," the statement said.

The president expects a more responsible intervention from the police to prevent the current wave of crime, the violence, extortion, human rights violations President's statement

The killings were an attempt to discredit the government internationally, it added.

These people should be brought to justice as traitors to the nation.

On Monday, a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council is due to discuss alleged abuses in Sri Lanka.

At least ten people have died in execution-style killings in Sri Lanka in the past two weeks, including five near the capital, Colombo.

Five of the victims were identified as Tamils.