Special IDs for persons, vehicles entering HSZ during SAARC

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: Police are implementing new security arrangements with regard to vehicles entering the High Security Zone (HSZ) in the Colombo city during the Seventh SAARC Summit. Residents and those working in the HSZ are also required to obtain a pass affixed with a photograph.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said the public and vehicles entering the HSZ from July 25 to 30 will be subjected to checks including a body search.

A special pass will be issued to the public for vehicles entering the HSZ from July 30 to August 4. We urge the residents and people working in the HSZ to obtain a pass affixed with a photograph from the OIC Kollupitiya and Fort signed by Senior DIG Colombo Nimal Mediwake.

During this period people will not be allowed to enter the HSZ without a pass, SSP Gunasekera told the Daily News.

He asked the public to avoid entering the HSZ area during the above period and take alternative routes. SSP Ranjith Gunasekera defined the HSZ said areas as covering the Ceramic round-about, the Hilton Hotel area including the Navy and Police HQ, WTC, Intercontinental Hotel area and from Kollupitiya junction towards the Galle Face, Army HQ, old Parliament including the Elephant House area.