Chamber condemns attack on businesses in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 April 2006, 17:10 GMT]
Sri Lankan Police has repeatedly failed to provide security to business establishments whenever the business houses in the east port town were targeted by thugs since 1983, traders in the east port town complained to the Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandra Ferdnando when he met representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Trincomalee District (CCITD) Thursday. CCITD appealed to the Srei Lanka government to take immediate steps to provide compensation and other relief to the relatives of dead persons and injured, and also to the damaged business establishments.

Owners of business establishments destroyed or damaged by fire during the Wednesday violence in Trincomalee town complained to the IGP when the latter met them at the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (eastern region) in Trincomalee Thursday evening that the police and members of security forces at the scene had failed to take prompt steps to prevent thugs from attacking and looting their shops, a participant of the discussion later told media persons.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the CCITD, condemned the bomb explosion and the pre-mediated attack on business establishments and civilians, and expressed condolence to the victims affected by the violence.

Such attacks on civilians would disrupt the harmony and also would lead to tension in the Trincomalee district, CCITD said.

"The pre-meditated attack on the business establishments will have a serious negative impact on Sri Lanka's economy and will drive away potential investors," the statement further said.

The IGP said that he will be submitting a report to the government regarding the damages caused to business establishments and a proposal to pay compensation to the affected businessmen.