Help Security Forces in their mission

Terrorists are exploding bombs targeting VIPs and civilians. Their aim is to kill as many people as possible. The Security Forces, Police and the Government are doing their best to protect the people and property. The society is also supporting them by being vigilant. Still there are loopholes that can be used by terrorists. May be no one noticed them but they are there. The responsible parties have to look into these problems.

The first thing is bare lands located in the heart of Colombo and suburbs that belong to private companies. Most of these bare lands are not cleared and full of thickets, garbage or debris. Even in cleared lands there are 'leftovers'. In the middle of many such lands a board stating that the land belongs to company X or Y is erected. Some of them state this is the proposed site for some construction. Some name boards are not readable at all because they are there for decades. Some times no one knows such a company exists.

These lands are in the heart of Colombo. For example there are such lands in Colombo 2, 3 and some of the lands are very close to important locations. Since there is no full time caretaker to maintain these lands, anyone can enter and do anything they wish. These lands are totally neglected.

May be Security Forces check them during their regular inspections but these type of lands pose a threat to the public.

The second danger that exists in all the roads in Colombo and suburbs are mobile stalls with four tiny wheels. There are thousands of mobile stalls. Security Forces have removed as many as possible but more remain. These moving stalls and carts are a pure danger to the public.

One can say that these belong to poor street hawkers and removing these may deprive them of their livelihood. But the problem is if you take a walk around Colombo city about 99 per cent of these stalls are just parked on roadsides without anyone.

Most of them are tightly locked. Some of them are locked and chained to a nearby fence belonging to a bank or any other private company. Most of them are not open and there are neither hawkers no r business.

Since no business takes place there removing these mobile stalls and carts will not be a problem to anyone. If there is a cart on wheels, there should be a visible owner. Otherwise the authorities should have the power to remove them as soon as possible. The protesters have a job. That is to protest.

When removing these carts they will cry on behalf of the hawkers pointing the finger at the authorities and when a big bomb explodes they will cry again on behalf of the public while pointing the finger at the Government because they get paid by certain forces only if they cry.

The other fact is that they require photographs of protests to be published in newspapers. Only then that they satisfy their 'mother' organisations plotting against democratically appointed Governments.

It is very surprising to see still how some people very carelessly park their vehicles and leave their bags unattended. This is another danger to themselves. This is a very common sight in private and public institutions these days. A lot of valuable time and energy is being wasted on these `artificial incidents' caused by unattended bags and parcels belonging to people who are careless.

The most pathetic situation is that some people are reluctant to inform the relevant authorities about such bags and parcels because of the fear of 'being involved'.

But still when we get on to a bus or a train the majority of the people still look at what others are wearing rather than what is there on racks and under the seats.

Some people think that it is the sole responsibility of Police, Security Forces and the Government to ensure the safety of the people. But it is not. The public bears some percentage of the responsibility.

If people make work harder for authorities by neglecting things and acting carelessly it is not acceptable and should not be forgiven. The other 'job' of certain persons and groups is spreading rumours during disasters.