PM takes charge at Karadiyanaru

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI and Daneshi YATAWARA

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who visited the blast site at Karadiyanaru has directed the Batticaloa Government Agent to provide urgent assistance to the relatives of victims. The Chinese Ambassador also accompanied the Prime Minister.

Twenty-one persons including 12 police personnel were killed in the blast. “President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is now in New York to attend the UN General Assembly telephoned me and directed me to take all steps to help those affected,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister who also visited the Batticaloa Hospital, categorically said that the blast was accidental and ruled out sabotage or terrorist activity. The Government Analyst who investigated the blast has also ruled out any foul play and confirmed that no terrorist activity was involved, Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya said.

Batticaloa Government Agent Sundaram Arumeinayagam said details of the victims are being compiled by the Divisional Secretary of the area. Assistance would be given to the families of the victims without delay, he said. Rs. 15,000 will be given to each family of the deceased immediately for funeral expenses.

Police administration has been re-established in the Karadiyanaru area and the police station has been temporarily shifted to neighbouring Aiththamalai, IGP Balasuriya said.

“The four critically injured police officers include three Policemen and one Woman police Constable. The three policemen are undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit and according to the doctors the WPC is now out of danger,” SP Jayakody said.

According to a senior police officer in the area arrangements were being made to hand over the dead bodies to their families. Discussions are under way regarding the re-establishment of the police station.

The IGP visited Batticaloa following the blast along with Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crimes) Anura Senanayake and Deputy Inspector General of Police (Welfare) Shantha Wanaguru.

On Friday morning, three containers carrying industrial explosives of a Chinese construction company accidentally blew up killing civilians and policemen at Karadiyanaru, Batticaloa. According to the police, one container exploded when the Chinese employees were examining the explosives in the container around 11.30 a.m. and the other two exploded due to the detonation. The Chinese company is constructing highways in the Eastern Province and the explosives were brought for the purpose. The containers had been parked in the Karadiyanaru police station premises. The total number of deaths due to the explosion at the Karadiyanaru police station had increased to 21 yesterday - 12 police officers, seven civilians and two Chinese nationals. This includes two more police officers who died yesterday while undergoing treatment at the General Hospital in Batticaloa, Police Spokesman Superintendent of Police Prishantha Jayakody said.

The blast seriously injured 23 police officers and four of them were immediately airlifted to the Colombo National Hospital.