Rumour mongers may be in for rude shock

by Shanika Sriyananda

Over 1,000 security personnel including 800 soldiers and 200 security personnel attached to the Civil Security Force (CSF) have been deployed in the Colombo district in addition to the existing cadre of 8,000 security personnel deployed islandwide except the North and East. The Army together with the Special Task Force, Police and the CSF will conduct search operations round the clock.

Calling on the public not to panic listening to rumours spread about bomb attacks by the LTTE, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told a media briefing yesterday that the government had taken measures to punish rumour mongers under Section 28 of the Penal Code. "These rumours would facilitate the LTTE to go for new targets and the prime aim of these rumours is to divert the military from the North and East to other districts", he said.

He said vigilant committees would be set up soon to keep a sharp eye on any suspected movements in the respective areas and stressed the need of public support to prevent disasters.

Brig. Nanayakkara said that the public could inform the Divisional Secretary of any suspicious movements in their areas.

DIG N. K. Illangakoon said that investigations were on the look out for the terrorists who had shot 11 villagers in Mahawewa and Kaluwelgala areas in Thanamalwila yesterday.

The police together with commandos and the STF are jointly conducting search operations in Buttala and Thanamalvila to flush out terrorists from the jungle.

Meanwhile the JVP which had opposed the APRC proposals from the beginning is still of the view that the government can not reach a political solution until terrorism is totally eradicated.

JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa said that the devolution of power would be more meaningful only after restoration of peace. " We do not consider the APRC as a committee which was formed to look into the national problem but a committee comprising of government friendly political parties", he said.

He said that the proposals would create more problems and discourage the military and the people of this country who gave their mandate to the government to crush terrorism. "We oppose APRC proposal and would decide the future course of action if the government try to implement them", he said.