After the victory of the Sri Lankan government over the Tamil Tigers in 2009, many working class Sri Lankans expected that the 'peace dividend' was going to lead to an improvement in their lives.

Unfortunately this has not proved the case with corruption, repression and inequality still prevalent in the country. Ethnic and communal issues are also being stoked up by powerful sections of the ruling class and far right groups like the far-right Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (Buddhist Power Force).

We talk to Lionel Boapge, a long time labour and human rights activist, on the reasons and dynamics behind the current anti-Muslim pogroms in Sri Lanka.

Asia Pacific Currents provides updates of labour struggles and campaigns from the Asia Pacific region. It is produced by Australia Asia Worker Links, in the studio of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia