Protection assured for business community

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pointed out to the members of the Colombo Jewellers' Association that the Government has rounded up several extortionists and abductors, who remained a big nuisance to the Colombo business community.

Members from the Colombo Jewellers' Association met the Defence Secretary at his office last week and discussed issues regarding extortions, intimidation and abductions.

During the meeting, the Defence Secretary said that there were extortionists operating in the uniform of the Security Forces and even carrying weapons.

"Several of them have been nabbed and are being interrogated. In future, extensive security measures would be introduced to protect the business community from notorious underworld criminals", Rajapaksa said.