120 Reported Slain in Week in Sri Lanka

More than 120 people have been killed this week in a surge of political violence by Sinhalese extremists trying to topple the Sinhalese-dominated government, authorities said.

Deputy Defense Minister Ranjan Wijeratne said that at least 60 people were killed in northern Anuradhapura province Tuesday, a Buddhist holiday. Officials said at least 53 were killed Sunday and Monday, and nine were killed Wednesday as the extremists crippled the island with a daylong strike.