Batticaloa travellers being filmed

[TamilNet, Friday, 08 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Passengers undergoing security checks at Mannampitty, 65 km north of Batticaloa, while en route from Batticaloa to Colombo are video filmed by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) at the checkpoint, said sources in Batticaloa.

The filming takes place when the passengers file past the checkpoint to have their identity papers and luggage examined, said sources.

All the passengers including pregnant mothers have to go on foot for their papers and luggage to be examined.

The passengers are filmed individually.

This practice, which began last Monday, has frightened the travellers. They fear that in the event of a bomb blast, or any other breach of security in Colombo, they could be harassed on suspicion simply because the video records of them going to Colombo are with the SLA.

The announced more stringent security measures to be taken at Mannampitty, to prevent LTTE operatives entering Colombo from Batticaloa included all passengers travelling by public transport having to change buses at Mannampitty.

However this provision was subsequently relaxed.