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| Sunday, 30 April 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Is
relocating an answer? :
No place is entirely safe... by Rikaza Hassan "We feel less safe. They haven't taken adequate security measures since the Tuesday bombing. The security is just routine, and of course none of us are that happy," says Harendra*, a high level employee of a large company based in the upper levels of the World Trade Centre. "There is a possibility of a very real threat and everyone working here feels it."
Harshi* is yet another of those feeling scared. "My husband doesn't like me working here any more, and even my parents are scared. I just don't feel safe any more working so high up in the building; it puts you at greater risk than the lower levels, in one way. Imagine a pregnant woman trying to run down the fire escape." As for the security measures she is indifferent. "There have been bombings in the past, even the most heavily guarded politicians injured and killed. They can always find a way." Working in the ground floor of the building, Naresh* is especially fearful. "This is definitely a target. We don't really feel secure and besides, if the Central Bank bomb could have happened, then anything is possible. We are just marking our time; we can't stop working, we need the money." Naresh* wishes they could relocate to somewhere else, but "Offices can't afford to just pack and move somewhere else." Most companies paying the large rent per square inch may not be able to afford to shift everytime a bomb goes off nearby, but a certain office apparently can. The local branch of an international information organisation simply packed and left to a supposedly more safer area in Colombo. The spokesperson for Overseas Reality Ceylon Limited, the organisation that owns the twin towers however expressed a different view. According to the spokesperson, they are constantly in touch with defence officials and other relevant authorities, none of whom have intimated any threat to the building. She further stressed that their priority was safeguarding both their tenants and the visitors towards which they have taken precautions since the last couple of months. When asked if any tenant had left the building due to a perceived security threat, it was denied. A high level employee of the Board of Investment expressed his concern about his workplace being a target. "However we are soon moving to our own new building, not because of any security reasons, in a couple of months. No place is entirely safe, but at least it should be safer than here," he says. Not everyone who works in the twin towers spend their day discussing the details of a probable attempt on the building, or chewing on their nails. Sarojini, an employee of Deli Market believes the building not to be a target. "Everyone's working as usual. People just love to talk and not act. Even on Tuesday, everyone just looked through the glasses, no one was scared or went home early. The security is really good and even our foreign manager is not bothered. He for one, works very long hours." Maheshi* an employee in the west tower agrees. "People just want the excitement and another excuse to not work. If you are meant to die, you could get caught to a bomb just about anywhere. For all we know, this talk of a threat to the building could probably be a ruse to disguise the real target." Then, others believe the building to be a safe haven. "The World Trade Centre is the main spot in Sri Lanka and is important to the government. They won't bomb a place like this. I think if anyone was to move because they don't feel safe it is foolish." were the words of Zakreen, Marketing Manager of Computer Gallery. Denial of the reality is never healthy, and in a country that has seen its infrastructure bombed and bombarded with heavy weaponry in the past, fear has once again taken hold. Perhaps it is fear that is the greatest weapon of all. * names have been changed |
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| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
Ever since a female suicide bomber disguised as a pregnant mother threw
the switch to mayhem once again, in front of the Army Headquaters, Tuesday
people both residing and working in Colombo have not only been made to face
the reality of the northern issue, but also have once again become fearful
of the security threat posing highrise buildings and important institutions.
