Call for public vigilance during festive season

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: Security authorities yesterday appealed to the public to be more vigilant specially during the festive season since there is possibility of the LTTE launching desperate attacks similar to the bus bomb explosion in Kondawattuwan, Ampara.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said there is a possibility of Tiger terrorists resorting to this type of attack as they did in Nittambuwa and Hikkaduwa on January 5 and 6 when they were losing the battle in Vakarai.

Brigadier Samarasinghe said that the bomb explosion in a Sri Lanka Transport Board bus in Koddawattuwan is similar to the bomb explosions in Nittambuwa and Hikkaduwa in January this year.

"We suspect that the bomb has been placed in the hood rack of the bus," the Brigadier added.Sixteen people were killed and 25 others including children were injured in the bus explosion on Monday at Kondawattuwan.

He said Police investigations are on to ascertain how the incident took place. Police spokesman Senior DIG Jayantha Wickremaratne told the media yesterday that the same type of explosion can take place at any moment at railway stations, bus stands or in any other place specially during this festive season.

"The Police have launched a special security plan for the festive season to ensure the security of the people," he added.

However, he said public support is needed to detect suspicious people and parcels to avert such incidents.