Trinco peace committees reactivated

Ranil Wijayapala

All steps have been taken to bring the Trincomalee city back to normal after having discussions with representatives from all segments of society in Trincomalee, Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando told the Daily News yesterday.

He said Trincomalee city was fast returning to normality by yesterday following the bomb explosion on April 12 and the violent incidents that followed the bomb explosion.

"We have done our best to strengthen security in Trincomalee and all orders have been given to Police officers to maintain law and order," the IGP said.

He said he had extensive discussion with the Chamber of Commerce representatives, bank managers, clergy and Peace Committee representatives in Trincomalee yesterday. Banks and other commercial establishments will be opened for the public very soon, he added.

"The Police has taken steps to clean the vegetable market that was closed since the April 12 bomb explosion. We hope that this process will be completed by Wednesday afternoon to open the vegetable market," he added.

He said buses operated in full swing and lorries turned up at the city yesterday following the New Year vacation.

The IGP said steps were taken to have different parking areas for bicycles, motorbicycles, lorries and other motor vehicles in view of the security of the people coming to the city. He said Tamil speaking senior Police officers in the ranks of SSP, SP and ASP have been deployed to visit the Tamil villages in Trincomalee and to explain the situation.

"We have visited all the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim villages and met villagers to discuss the security situation," the IGP said.

"Steps have also been taken to reactivate the Peace Committees at village level by making arrangements to have frequent meetings," he added.