Public must bear responsibility - Police

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Police in the Vadamaradchi sector of the Jaffna peninsula have been announcing over public address system that residents of the region should bear responsibility for the killing of Brigadier Larry Wijeratne, Commander of the SLA's Pt. Pedro garrison.

The announcements were made several times during the past few days in Pt. Pedro and Nelliyadi, sources said.

The Brigadier was killed by a suicide bomber in Pt. Pedro town, 32 km north of Jaffna, around 3:30 p.m. on May 14..

Sources said residents of Vadamaradchi are alarmed by the increased security checks and frequent house-to-house searches at night.

Security checks have been increased in the Jaffna peninsula recently. The SLA launched several search operations in the Thenmaradchi sector last week.

On Sunday, the villages adjoining Manipay were searched by the SLA.

According to residents, the Vadamaradchi region has become tense since the new CO assumed his duties.