NSW: Police urge calm after racial violence
18 May 2009 4:06 PM
SYDNEY, May 18 AAP - Police have appealed for calm after politically-motivated unrest in Sydney's west, including an acid attack on two Sri Lankan students.
Investigators believe more than five attackers could be involved in the home invasion, which left one man critically injured and another with serious injuries.
A third man in the Westmead home in Alexandra Avenue was able to call police after the attack.
It came just hours after a brawl involving more than 100 people at a supermarket car park at nearby Wentworthville about 4.30pm (AEST) on Sunday.
Police have refused to confirm reports the incidents are linked to unrest between the Tamil and Sinhalese ethnic groups.
Five people have been arrested over the car park brawl which injured one man and left a police officer concussed.
"The unrest has been maybe politically motivated but we cannot confirm or deny there is any particular group of interest," Police Superintendent Karen Webb told reporters.
She said police were still trying to establish a link between the incidents.
"It may be that they are related, but we can't confirm or deny that as yet."
Supt Webb said it could be some time before police can interview the victims of the acid attack.
"It seems that the acid may have struck their face and other parts of their body and it's quite serious injuries."
She said people in Australia had a right to protest but they should remain peaceful and free of violence.
Police were looking to increase their presence in the area and were speaking with community leaders, she said.
"We'd ask the community to remain calm and not to look for retribution in anyway," Supt Webb said.
The five people arrested over the brawl were charged with a variety of offences, including assault and affray, and were expected to appear in court later on Monday.
One of the acid attack victims will undergo surgery at Westmead Hospital while the other is in an induced coma at Concord Hospital.
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels admitted defeat on Sunday in their 37-year battle for an independent ethnic homeland.
Tamils have been protesting for weeks in Sydney and Canberra, calling for an end to what they have called the genocide in their homeland.
