Security of Sri Lanka's law courts strengthened

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 January 2004, 04:36 GMT]
The security of law courts in Sri Lanka would be strengthened from Monday to ensure safety to suspects, litigants, witnesses, lawyers and judicial officers, in the wake of the killing of a notorious underworld leader, Dhamikka Amarasinghe, in the well of the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court last week, police headquarters said Monday.

No outsiders would be permitted to stay in the corridors of courthouses without permission, especially when judges are on bench hearing cases. Extra security to notorious suspects and key witnesses related to underworld activities and politically sensitive cases would be provided, police said

Police personnel deployed specially for the security of courthouses will check all persons who go to courthouse from Monday. Special arrangements will be made to check lawyers who attend courts with consultation with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, police said.

Unauthorized vehicles and the movement of undesirables outside courthouse buildings will be prohibited, police said.

The Police would take all precautionary security measures in consultation with judiciary and lawyers' associations, a senior police official said.

The Inspector General Police Mr.Indra de Silva has instructed all provincial Deputy Inspector Generals that police personnel on duty at law courts should take the responsibility of any crime committed in the vicinity and inside the court house, police sources said.