Plans to strengthen security in threatened villages

Chulabandara Kulasekera and Tennakoon Kulasekera

ANURADHAPURA: "Plans are afoot to strengthen security in the threatened villages in the Anuradhapura district with the escalating rate of LTTE terrorist activities, said Agrarian Services and Community Development Minister S.M. Chandrasena.

The Minister made these observations during an inspection tour of the threatened areas in the Anuradhapura district on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister inspected areas from Wahalkada to Galenbindunuwewa. He also inspected the sentry points and bunkers. Anuradhapura SP McCarthy Perera, ASP Sarath C. Perera accompanied the Minister.

The Minister and his officials inquired the needs of police officers and homeguards. He was told that facilities were quite adequate and that some of the bunkers are in need of roofing sheets. Minister promised to mend this shortcoming very soon.

The Minister later had a discussion with the OICs of the Anuradhapura district at the Horowpathana police station. He promised to discuss with the President granting of the difficult area allowance to the police officers of Galenbindunuwewa and Kahatagasdigiliya police stations and also provision of telephone facilities and motorcycles to needy police stations.

He also assured that the bunkers located from Parangiwadiya to Bandarakumbukwewa Vidyalaya would be provided with electricity soon and that the Galenbindunuwewa and Kahatagasdigiliya police stations would be provided with new buildings.