Security tightened in city and suburbs

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

The Government yesterday beefed-up security in the Colombo city and suburbs to avert possible LTTE attacks on civilian targets.

Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwelle told the Sunday Observer that more intense operations are being conducted in Colombo and the suburbs to track LTTE operatives and explosives.

"The Government is always for peace but will not tolerate terrorism", the Minister said.

When asked how many officers have been deployed, the Minister said "It's not the matter of number of security personnel but the number of cordon and search operations that have been increased to minimise attacks".

He said that civilian targets could be increased in the future to provoke people expecting communal clashes to win international sympathy. "We should not get caught to such traps", he said.

He also called upon the people to be more vigilant on suspected persons. The Minister thanked the person who tipped the police about a blast in Negombo yesterday which helped to arrest three LTTE operatives.

Responding to the Sunday Observer the Minister said that the LTTE threatened special security arrangements have been introduced to protect the LTTE threatened villages but declined to elaborate further. Despite the increase of security in these villages, people in Yaka Wewa, Halmilla Wetiya and Kanugaha Wewa close to Kebithigollewa have left their homes fearing LTTE attacks.

"Around 100 families in these villages have sought refuge at the Kebethigollawa Maha Vidyalaya. Government officials along with NGOs have taken steps to assist these villagers", Kebethigollewa police officials said.