Security beefed up in Colombo - Peiris

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 June 2003, 17:52 GMT]
The United National Front government of Sri Lanka has streamlined its security network in the country to curb the increase of crime, and has deployed more troops and police personnel with vehicles and motorbikes to conduct search operations in Colombo, said the Sri Lankan cabinet spokesman and Minister, Mr. G.L.Peiris, at a press briefing Thursday.

Mr. Peiris said criminal laws would be strictly enforced in the country, especially in Colombo, and culprits would be punished irrespective of their position. He stressed that those suspects in custody with alleged offences would be punished if they were found guilty.

In reply to a question, Mr. Peiris said that there is no security threat in Colombo. However, he said that the government has taken every step to meet any emergency situation in Colombo. “Temporary checkpoints will be established in Colombo based on reports by the security establishment. There will be no permanent checkpoints in the capital,” he said.

Special police teams trained in crime control activities would be sent to outstations too to nab criminals, Mr. Peris added.

The Minister said that the Sri Lankan Prime Minister had asked Interior Minister and Defence Minister to submit reports regarding killings that had taken place in Colombo.