'People must be vigilant about suspicious articles and people'

by Ananda Kannangara

Schoolteacher, Mrs. Krishna Gajadeera vehemently condemned the second Kebithigollewa bomb blast which killed nearly fifteen civilians last Thursday.

She appealed to the LTTE to stop these sporadic attacks in future for the sake of all communities.

"If the LTTE engages in such barbaric acts continuously, not a single country will come to their rescue,".

A retired University lecturer, Prof. Hirantha Abayadeera said bomb explosions can be expected at any moment and called upon people to be patient when security forces stop vehicles at road blocks.

Muthu Sahabdeen of Atulugama, Avissawella said according to their religion, Allah would never pardon for killings and destructions. "Whoever dies in a war, all are human beings, therefore, I appeal to the LTTE to forget the miserable past and think of a better future for the sake of the entire Tamil community,"

Sudath Chandana of Ratnapura said that bomb attacks by terrorists cannot be stopped and it is better to be vigilant at crowded places.

"I appeal to the people to refrain from meeting at public places,".

"The best thing is no family members should get together when they come to Colombo, they must come separately,".

A landed proprietor Gayantha Samarawickrema of Hanwella said that maintaining the security in the country is not only the responsibility of security forces, but also of the public. "The duty of public is to help security forces to maintain law and order, but in our country, people are in the habit of blaming the security forces whenever a bomb goes off," D. Rupasinghe of Gampaha said the LTTE were in the habit of using new tactics to plant bombs and destabilise the day-to-day life of the people."No one would have thought they would place a bomb at the baggage counter of a super market like the one at Nugegoda recently,"

A private sector employee Palitha Pathirana said "The LTTE will never stop their inhuman acts and I think the best thing is to organise a group of religious dignitaries from the South, along with the parents of security personnel to meet the LTTE leader in Kilinochchi".

"They can make a fervent request from the LTTE leadership to stop such acts and kill unarmed people,"

A banker, Nandimithra Bowela of Pannipitiya thanked people in the South for their patience when the LTTE is engaging in unlawful activities. "I like to request the peace loving people in the South not to harm innocent Tamils for the problems created by the LTTE,"

An owner of a beauty parlour, Kumudumali Sevvandi said that planting bombs by terrorists cannot be stopped and they use various tactics to achieve their end.

"Therefore, people must know how to be extra vigilant at a time of bomb explosions."

He appealed people to avoid busy places such as junctions and shopping complexes, crowded buses and trains, as they are the most vulnerable LTTE targets."

Dr. Jayalath Illukkumbura of Moratuwa said "I would like to make a humble request to the LTTE to stop killing people.

"Mr. Prabhakaran, please resume talks with the Government, rather than engaging in inhuman acts,".

Private bus driver, Gamunu Adikari of Kalutara asked the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to be the Chief Minister in the Northern province after facing an election.

"I am sure you can win the election and become the saviour of Tamils in the country,". He said it was the only alternative to stop placing bombs and creating trouble in the South. An undergraduate of the Colombo University Piyal Peramuna said "Mr. Prabhakaran you may have an ultimate goal, but that cannot be achieved through bombs and killing people,".

"Therefore, I think the best thing is to resume talks with the Government and tell your grievances in order to seek any redress for a better future to the entire Tamil community in the country,".

Shamali Ramalingam of Narahenpita inquired "In the way the present President became the leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran too can face an election in the North and become the leader of the Tamils,"

She said it was the only solution to stop bombs otherwise it is difficult to get rid of from bomb explosions.

A mercantile sector employee, Chamila Wasantha said "Normally terrorists do not feel the pulse of love, affection, patience or mercy. They behave like wild animals,".

Lionel Witharana of Nugegoda said "Refraining from exploring bombs is a difficult task for the terrorists, I think the Government must try its best to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table and give whatever they need, other than a separate state."