Colombo under tight security to celebrate government’s “Victory Day”

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 June 2009, 21:32 GMT]
Cordon and search operations are being conducted by large number of soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army in Fort, Bambalapitya, Wellawatte, Dehiwala Kohuwela, Nugegoda, Kelaniya, Demtagoda and Gampaha in Colombo district since Monday to ensure foolproof security for grand victory day celebration with military parade that is scheduled to be held on Wednesday in Galle Face Green, media sources said.

From morning cordon and search operation was conducted in Wellawatte. Tamil residents were in each house and lodges and flats subjected to severe interrogation and ensured the identity tallying with police registration by chief occupants. Police warned permanent Tamil residents not to give accommodation to strangers in their houses and lodges. Police subjected Tamils who have been temporarily residing in lodges and with relatives for interrogation. Sri Lanka armed forces and police stopped all vehicles and motorbikes and subjected the inmates for interrogation while the cordon and search operation was in progress, media sources said.

Twenty one government schools in Colombo district have been closed down since Monday to provide accommodation to SLA soldiers and police personnel deployed to provide more security for the Victory Day celebration. Train services between Maradana to Bambalapitya have been suspended from Tuesday till the victory celebration is over.

Roads between Colpetty to Galle Face Green, Slave Island have been closed for traffic since Tuesday, sources said.

The Victory Day celebration is organized by the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry.

President Mahinda Rajapakse who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces will be the chief guest. He will also address the nation on that occasion, media sources said.