SLA search in Colombo's business hub

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 May 2000, 19:03 GMT]
The Sri Lankan army cordoned off and searched Sea Street, the island's 'gold market', in the heart of Colombo's business hub Tuesday. More than thousand businessmen and shop assistants in this predominantly Tamil sector of the capital's business district were lined up for identification by 'spotters' who had come with the army. More than thirty youth, including five girls were arrested.

The city Police said in the morning that they were not aware of the operation when area MP Mr.R.Yogarajan made inquiries about arrests. The Sea beach Road and New Kathiresan Street were also blocked off by troops before everyone in Sea Street was asked to line up for identification. Traffic was stopped and business did not start until the army operation was over later in the morning.

The SLA had searched Sea Street on information that there were suspected operatives of the Liberation Tigers in the area Police headquarters sources in Colombo said later in the day. The operation had been launched on a tip off by a person arrested for links with the LTTE they claimed.