Archives

Police tighten City security

by Jayantha Sri Nissanka

Interior Minister John Amaratunga has instructed the Police to tighten security in the City and strictly enforce the curfew enforced in Colombo North - Keselwatte, Maradana, Dematagoda, Maligawatte, Grandpass, Kotahena and Modera from last evening.

Minister Amaratunga has directed police to take into custody all violators of the curfew.

Firm legal action will be taken against all offenders, the Interior Ministry said. Residents of these areas have been advised to remain indoors during curfew hours except in the case of taking a seriously ill patient to hospital.

The Minister has appealed to the people not to fall prey to false rumours spread by certain organised groups with the aim of inciting people. He appealed to the people to desist from spreading rumours or believing in them.

"We are mindful that certain elements are against the peace process. They are trying their best to sabotage it by using various methods like arousing communal violence. People should understand the motive of these groups and avoid violence," Minister Amaratunga said.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga also appealed to the people to stay calm and maintain peace. "There are people with selfish motives trying to incite the public. I appeal to you to remain calm and not be deceived by such rumours."

"Any clash or conflict which has ethnic or religious undertones is an obstacle to national unity and progress. It is essential that we maintain a peaceful environment in and around Colombo, which is our Commercial Capital, inhabited by people of different communities and religions," she said in a statement.

The President of the Board of Trustees of the Colombo Grand Mosque Al Haj J. Abdul Hameed Alim (Bahji) has called upon Muslims to exercise caution and be calm in the face of provocations made by certain unscrupulous elements to bring about discord and disunity between Muslim and Sinhalese communities.

The Colombo Grand Mosque in a press release stated: "The Muslims and Sinhalese have lived as brothers from time immemorial and will continue to be so in the future as well. The Colombo Grand Mosque appeals to all the Katheebs of Jumma Mosques throughout the country to preach on communal harmony in their Jumma sermons."

Police yesterday strengthened security in the City following a complaint by shop owners that they have been threatened to close their shops by a group of persons.

Two Muslim shops have been closed yesterday morning in Pettah after the threats but the shops were re-opened after the intervention of Pettah OIC Ananda Liyanapathirana.

"We assured the two shop owners that Police teams had been deployed in uniforms and civvies to give adequate protection and curb any sudden violence", Liyanapathirana told the Daily News.

SP Dayananda said a group who had arrived in a three wheeler had attacked a bus in Armour Street and fled. Hospital sources said that three persons including one police officer were admitted to hospital yesterday.

Colombo DIG Bodhi Liyanage told the Daily News that those who were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the violence were released yesterday due to lack of evidence.

"However, we have sent Police teams to nab the culprits who were involved in violent acts," DIG Liyanage said.

Minister Milinda Moragoda on Wednesday visited the area before leaving for Thailand, on a directive of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and talked to the Sinhala and Muslim residents, stressing the importance of harmony and restraint at this crucial hour.

He was accompanied by DIG Liyanage and STF Deputy Commander Nimal Lewke and Minister Mohammed Maharoof. Minister Moragoda briefed the Prime Minister on the situation before leaving Wednesday night.

One person was killed and several injured in Wednesday's clashes. The body of the victim was released to the relatives by Colombo JMO L.B.L. de Alwis after the autopsy. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager