The Hartal called by the Trincomalee District Tamil Peoples Forum (TDTPF) demanding the removal of the newly erected statue at the three wheel taxi stand has brought the eastern Sri Lankan town to a standstill.

The three wheel drivers in Trincomalee erected the controversial statue on Friday where a smaller Buddha statue stood earlier.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East, Neville Wijesinghe told Sandeshaya that the reluctance of both parties to agree to a compromise has made the situation worse.

DIG Wijesinghe said that courts have ordered the opposing parties to be present in court on the 25th after arriving at an agreement.

Meanwhile, police said that a former town council chairman Periyapodi Sooriyamurthi shot on Wednesday night by unidentified gunmen is in a critical condition.

Divaina correspondent R G Dharmadasa reporting to Sandeshaya from the eastern city said that the former chairman has publicly expressed his approval of the Buddha statue.

Three wheel drivers accusing Tamil Tigers of organising the Hartal say that the killing of one person and injuring others is proof of the allegation.

Trincomalee district political head S Elilan denied the allegation saying that the LTTE has no connection with the Hartal organised by the TDTPF.