Army tells Jaffna businessmen:
Don’t give in to ransom demands
Sandasen Marasinghe
Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna asked the business community
in Jaffna to engage in their lawful businesses without submitting to
ransom demands from certain groups since the Army will provide them
protection.
A meeting was organized by the Civil Affairs and Public Relations
Office in Jaffna to discuss constraints and difficulties faced by
businessmen of the peninsula following a few incidents of ransom demands
were reported by businessmen during the past six months.
The meeting was held at the Catholic Press Hall in Jaffna on Sunday
at which about 250 businessmen were present.
An officer of the Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna said Jaffna
Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe instructed the business
community not to give into any ransom demand as the Army was always
there to protect them.
He said that the business community was told that the era where they
had to work at gun point was over and they now had the liberty to engage
in their legitimate businesses. If they are obstructed or threatened by
any group or individual, the Army was there to protect them.
Major General Hathurusinghe told the business community that in the
aftermath of defeating terrorism, the army’s role has changed to assist
rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation. He said that Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has taken steps to remove all barriers
from Elephant Pass.
During this transition period where Jaffna was striving to regain its
former glory, the business community had a great responsibility towards
promoting trade and commerce and ensuring the peace dividend is enjoyed
by the people.
He also instructed that if they come under demand of ransom or any
threat to their business, to keep the nearest Army camp or himself
informed immediately. He added that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
Defence Secretary have issued clear instructions that any extortion and
ransom demand anywhere in the country to be dealt with severely. |