Tense situation brought under control:

Police arrest notorious criminals

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

A tense situation prevailed near the Railway playground in Borella following the arrest of several notorious criminals wanted by police and who have been evading arrest for some time, Police Media Spokesman SP, Ajith Rohana told the Sunday Observer.

The operation was launched in the wee hours of Saturday morning when several police teams along with the Police Task Force swooped on houses located in the T-20 Garden (Watte) to round up criminals wanted by the police. The Police Media Spokesman said twelve Island Reconvicted Criminals (IRCs), seven suspects connected with drug-related offences and five wanted in connection with grave crimes were arrested by police.

Following the arrests, area residents of the T-20 Watte staged a protest near the railway ground causing traffic congestion along Baseline Road, Borella.

However, with the deployment of several policemen and the STF the situation was brought under control.