Suicide Jacket materials found in Colombo – Bomb found in Kandy

Accessories used to assemble suicide jackets were found hidden in the premises of a Catholic church in Olcott Mawatha in Pettah, by the security forces this morning, (22), Ministry of Defence said.

The recovery was made on information provided by a civilian around 8.50 am. The materials included detonators, switches and a few other items that had been concealed inside the St. Phillip Nerish Church in Pettah, in Colombo.

These items also included five remote antennas.

Meanwhile Kandy Police conducting a search operation on a tip off have uncovered a bomb weighing around 1 kg from the Balagolla area, a suburb in Kandy.

The bomb, containing gelignite sticks and C-4 high explosive, had been hidden in a sand mound near a privately owned residence in the Balagolla area, sources said.

The Army bomb disposal team later defused the bomb, sources added.

Extracted from,
http://www.news.lk/index.php?
Photos,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=15454

Sri Lanka plans foolproof security for SAARC summit

The Tamil Tigers may have announced a unilateral 10-day truce but the Sri Lankan government is leaving nothing to chance for the upcoming SAARC summit. It has deployed 19,000 additional security personnel to provide foolproof protection for the visiting leaders.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) truce between July 26 and Aug 4 was rejected by the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as "a trap".

The 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) starts at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall here Aug 2. It will be attended by leaders of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

All these leaders will bring their own personnel to personally look after their security but media reports in Colombo and India indicate that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will come with scores of elite Black Cats. India is also sending helicopters and bulletproof cars.

Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Sri Lankan police and security forces would be in charge of the security cover for the summit.

"About 19,000 additional troops, including police personnel, will be deployed for the summit. It is a well coordinated security plan to ensure the best security cover for the summit," Nanayakkara told IANS.

Read more,
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?

12,000 Police contingent for SAARC security

SAARC security arrangements will be in effect from today with Police deploying 12,000 personnel in addition to a strong presence of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel.

Addressing the media yesterday at the Media Centre for National Security, Senior DIG Nimal Mediwake said all security and traffic arrangements had been made for the 15th SAARC summit in Colombo. There will be alternative routes and shuttle bus services from July 30 to August 4.

Commenting on the additional Indian security contingent for Indian Premier Manmohan Singh, DIG Mediwake said a full package of local security will be provided to him and other foreign delegations.

“Close protection of any Head of State is provided by their personnel and the number of the security personnel will be decided according to threat and security assessment they face,” he added. He said Parliament, BMICH, Kollupitiya and Fort areas had been declared as High Security Zones for the SAARC summit.

“The above mentioned areas will be for the use of foreign SAARC delegations’ meetings from July 30 to August 4.

During this period for the security and convenience of SAARC delegations public and vehicles will be not be allowed into those areas except for those whose working places and residences are located in the above mentioned HSZ’s,” he added.

DIG Mediwake pointed out that people working in the HSZ’s can access the area with their relevant company Identity Cards except employees of Galadari, Hilton and Inter Continental hotels. These hotel employees should obtain a special pass from Kollupitiya or Fort police stations.

He also said only a certain number of vehicles will be permitted to enter the HSZ’s during the SAARC summit and vehicle owners should obtain a special pass from the police of their respective areas.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/25/sec01.asp

Removing unauthorized constructions Sorrow, Tears and struggle at slave Island

Nearly Thousand families at Slave island in to a big trouble today morning. Police attempted to remove their temporary residences which were unauthorized constructions according to government, to strengthen the security in Colombo prior to SAARC conferences according to a decision taken by Ministry of defense.

Public become restless and all the people in the area faced the same problems

Where to go with their kids?

How to continue their day to day life, schooling, cooking?

The public Motivated to obstruct the police and arguments raised. Police managed to remove them by farce. Lot of people with their children were seen with sorrowful, hopeless faces with dought of their future and their children's future.

Considering this situation the court give and order to postponed the removal up to 22nd this month.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankatruth.com/New/Full_Story_Page/2008/July/18/20080718_04.htm

Photos,
www.lankatruth.com, www.dailymirror.lk and www.lankadeepa.lk

Behave or face consequences, Police warn strikers

The police yesterday warned that it would come down hard on anyone involved in violence during today’s strike.

Police spokesman S.S.P. Ranjith Gunasekera said under Section 14 (1) of the Constitution, any person or group was entitled to peaceful demonstration, but those who resorted to damaging government property, attacking non-strikers and forcing people to join the strike would be arrested.

In accordance with the provisions of Police Penal Code Section 89 to 99, Police would enforce the law to prevent any violent activities and allow strikers to carry out peaceful demonstrations, he said.

Gunasakara told The Island that if the strikers wanted to launch street demonstrations, they would be allowed to do so, but they must not disturb or obstruct non-strikers, students, vehicles, public and private buses, railways and hospitals. The police had already drawn a temporary traffic plan and some roads in the Colombo city would be closed.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Health Ministry had already formulated contingency plans to face any emergency situation.

He warned that any hospital worker resorting to sabotage by blocking water supply, locking up drug cabinets, disconnecting oxygen pipe lines, hiding registers etc.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/07/10/news1.html

Out going Police Chief to become Governor of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province

Informed sources say that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed outgoing Inspector General of Police Victor Perera as the Governor of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

He is to take over duties at his new position from July 03, the sources added.

Currently the governor of the Eastern Province, Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema has been performing as the acting government of the Northern Province.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/June30170312JV.html

60kgs GELIGNITE RECOVERED

60kgs of Gelignite which were hidden under the load of coconut and salts were recovered, at the PANDULAGAMA Police/ Army combined road block while they were transporting in a lorry on the PUTTLEM- ANURADHAPURA route around 12.45pm today (19).. The driver and the cleaner of the lorry were arrested and handed over to the NOCHCHIYAGAMA Police for further investigations.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13280

12 Police personnel killed, over 20 injured in LTTE suicide attack - Vavuniya

12 police personnel including 3 WPCs (Woman Police Constables) were killed and over 20 others have suffered injuries when a motorbike ridding LTTE suicide cadre blew himself in front of the SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) office complex in Vavuniya this morning, June 16.

According to the initial reports received from Vavuniya, the explosion has occurred around 7.10 a.m., targeting the Police personnel leaving the SSP office for their duties.

A total of 23 people were admitted to the general hospital at Vavuniya, including 19 Police personnel and 4 civilians, the Vavuniya hospital sources said speaking to our defence correspondent. A school girl is also among the victims who suffered injuries, hospital sources further said.

News from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080616_03
Photos,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13216

LTTE massacre of 400 policemen in 1990 to be probed shortly

The massacre by the LTTE of 401 policemen who surrendered to the outfit on the orders of the Premadasa government in 1990 in the Eastern Province is to be investigated after a lapse of 18 years.

The government has decided to probe the mass murder in response to appeals from the family members of the victims, according to the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).

Police personnel serving in Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa were ordered to lay down arms and give themselves up by the then UNP government, which was struggling to salvage a fragile ceasefire with the LTTE, when the LTTE laid siege to many police stations in the area.

The police were ready to fight back, but they were not in a position to defy the government order to surrender.

The LTTE raided the police stations, seized all the weapons and ammunition, bundled the captives into police vehicles and drove away into the jungle. Thereafter, the police personnel including officers were ordered to dig their own graves, lined up and mowed down.

Although the government places the number of policemen killed at 401, police sources say, it could be as high as 600 and a full scale probe is needed to establish the actual number.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/06/14/news15.html

Two police constables shot dead in two situations in Batticaloa

Today (05) between 5.00pm to 6.00pm in KALLADI Bridge, near the right hand side barrier a police constable was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while he was on duty. The gunman has arrived by a motor cycle to shoot the police constable.

Meanwhile another two police constables were shot while they were on foot patrol, by another unknown motorcycle gunman at a sub road in BATTICALOA. Due to the fire attack one police constable was reported killed and other police constable was reported heavy injuries.

The injured constable is under going treatments in BATTICALOA hospital.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=12979

Police seeks public assistance to arrest terror suspect

Police investigation units seek public assistance to arrest the terror suspect who has detonated an IED slightly damaging a rail track injuring 18 civilians between Wellawattha and Dehiwala this morning (June 4).

The Police while commending the public for their awareness, which had made it possible to avert tragedy, issued a photo of the suspect with following details.

Available details are as follows:

Name: Jatheesan Balasubramaniyam
Date of Birth: 1978.08.28
Passport No: N 1898438
NIC No: 782413538 V
Address: Wattala (general area)

Inform details to following Police emergency numbers:
118
119
0112421111
0112327711

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080604_07

Sri Lankan Troops Assist Flood Victims

Sri Lanka's Navy, Army and police have been placed to provide assistance to people hit by flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rains in different parts of the island, relief officials said Sunday.

"Navy boats were used to rescue people trapped in flooded areas, " Keerthi Ekanayake, the national coordinator of the National Disaster Management Center said.

Rains have lashed the southern districts of Galle and Kalutara, the southeastern districts of Kegalla and Ratnapura, and the central hilly areas since Friday.

Officials said some 5,000 families have been marooned by the floods while four people died.

The threat of flooding has also hit the Western Province with water levels rising in the river Kelani north of the capital Colombo.

"We have warned people living in low lying areas around the Kelani river," Ekanayake said.

Read more,
http://english.cri.cn/2947/2008/06/01/1321@364288.htm

Five suicide jackets found; suspect detained - Chilaw

Police acting on an information received from intelligence sources found 5 jackets designed for the LTTE suicide bombers from Maina Doopatha (an islet) in the Chilaw area this evening (May 30). According to the police sources, only four out of the five jackets were filled with high explosives.

Police said the jackets were unearthed from a location close to an abandoned Hindu Temple around 6.30 pm. A person was also detained for further inquiries, the sources added.

LTTE is the terror outfit that pioneered the suicide terrorism and introduced recruitment, brainwashing, and technical expertise for suicide bombing to the terrorist organizations in the world over. It has carried out over 200 suicide attacks killing hundreds of people during its two and half decades of terrorist war against Sri Lankan citizens.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080530_10

Police find LTTE claymore in public transport bus - Mortuwa

Sri Lanka police personnel on duty at the main bus stand, Moratuwa have found a claymore mine inside a public transport bus around 9.30 pm.

According to the police sources the bomb has been found inside a parcel placed under the rear seat of the bus that completed its trip from Colombo. The bomb has not been armed, but the detonator and few electrical batteries have been found with the bomb, the sources said.

Air Force bomb disposal team defused the bomb, the sources added.

read more,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080530_06

Ten Killed and over 86 injured by suicide motor cyclist

A total of ten (10) which included eight Police constables and two civilians were killed and over (86) others were reported injured, some seriously, when a suicide bomber on a motor cycle crashed into a parked Police vehicle on Lotus road around 12.00 noon today (16) near the check point barrier close to Sambuddhaloka Viharaya, in Colombo, Fort. Among these 86 injured there were 30 policemen, Six Army personals and fifty innocent civilians.

Usually the city is busy at this hour on week days. Today, the roads were busier than usual as traffic was trying to leave Colombo before the rush hour to get away for the weekend especially as Monday and Tuesday also being holidays for the Wesak festival.

At the time of the incident there had been three vehicles belonging to the Police Riot Squad. One vehicle was a Police Bus with a contingent of constables and a few officers most of whom drawn for Duty from the Peliyagoda Police Station. The two other vehicles were equipped with water cannon. The contingents of Police were on 'stand by' duties at the time to meet any emergency. Most of the casualties were Policemen from the Peliyagoda Police station.

Read more,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=12500
Photos,
www.defence.lk and www.army.lk

Woman and child wounded in LTTE mortar attack- Bakmitiyawa

LTTE terrorists mounted an indiscriminate 81 mm mortar shell attack at a civilian settlement at Pannalgama general area in Bakmitiyawa, Damana today(may 10), injuring 4 people including a woman and a child, at around 7.15a.m., sources reveal.

According to latest reports received, terrorists have fired 7 mortar bombs at the Pannalgama civilian settlement, what was said to be another attempt of LTTE to flush the settlers from their native lands. The injured child was said to be a 10-year old, informed sources said.

According to Damana Police, an injured civilian was rushed to the Tottama rural hospital. Security has been tightened in the area as combined Army and Police search teams were dispatched to the scene.

Pannalgama is located approximately 25km South East of Damana

Read more,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080510_05

Information from the public Police seize stock of Explosives etc

The MEDAWACHCHIAY POLICE acting on information received from the public seized a large stock of explosives and accessories as given below from a van bearing No M.W.P.B 1824 which was proceeding towards MANNAR near the MEDAWACHCHIAYA roadblock in the evening around 5.45 on Wednesday (19).

Gelignite rods 242
Detonator cord 125 meters

Two suspects were taken into custody by the MEDAWACHCHIYA POLICE .
Police investigations reveal that the Gelignite rods and detonator wire was cunningly concealed inside an enclosure made for the purpose inside the vehicle.
MEDAWACHCHIYA POLICE are conducting further investigations.

Extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=11264

One soldier killed in claymore mine explosion at Galge

A claymore mine was triggered off targeting a troops carrying tractor at Galge along the Buttala old road this morning (March 8), defence sources report.

According to defence sources, the mine explosion was triggered in a jungle patch at Galge general area, around 9.45.a.m. Three soldiers have received injuries due to the explosion, sources said. Meanwhile, a soldier has succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment, according to latest reports received.

SLA and Police are now conducting extensive search operations in the area, defence sources further reported.

Extracted from,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080308_04

Kidnapped and rescued in 4 hours

This is straight out of a Bollywood whodunit — not just the plot but also the rare swiftness with which the police acted.

The kidnap drama started at about 12 noon on Friday. A 'senior officer from the Central Crime Branch (CCB)' led the 'Sanjay Nagar police team' into a building to pick up two students from Sri Lanka.

About four hours later, the Sanjay Nagar police arrested this 'crime branch officer' and his team of 'policemen'.

The fake team, all residents of R T Nagar, were nabbed in a swift operation. They are: Abdul Mathin (32), Firoz Khan (31), Praveen (21), Raju (20) and Hari (22).

Extracted from,
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/

Sri Lanka to provide highest security for polls in east district

The Sri Lankan government is to undertake the largest ever manpower deployment in the history of local government polls for the eastern Batticaloa district which will hold local council elections on March 10, said the official Daily News on Tuesday.

This will be the first local elections in the former rebel-controlled area after a lapse of 14 years. The newspaper quoted police sources as saying that 6,425 police officers are to be deployed for duty on the election day, out of which 1,800 officers are from outstations, in accordance with a request by several political parties.

Five officers are to be deployed to provide security for every polling station, in addition to mobile patrols which operate 24 hours a day. Police will also set up roadblocks for all the 26 counting centers in addition to special security arrangements to transport ballot boxes on election day.

Election authorities have planned to set up 285 polling stations to cater to 270,471 registered voters in addition to special arrangements for displaced voters numbering 11,000. Batticaloa consists of 12 local councils, out of which nine will hold elections on March 10.

Read more,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080304044726.php