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Massive search operation in Colombo

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Military and police forces in Sri Lanka on Saturday conducted an unprecedented search operation throughout the national capital for suspicious objects and persons.

In the operation that went on from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., all vehicles were stopped, people on board made to disembark and physical search of vehicles and passengers was conducted.

It was immediately not clear if the authorities were acting on specific information or intelligence or it was part of a surprise check. The operation came two days after a false alarm about sighting of a suspicious aircraft leading to closure of the only international airport and activation of the anti-aircraft guns.

A statement issued by the military said in the search operation, four "Tamil persons and 12 others wanted for offences" were arrested. The nature of offences was not identified. It said 16,500 persons and 9,000 vehicles were searched.

Separately, the military said a fisherman from Parsiyoor, Jaffna, who went to the sea was targeted by the LTTE. "The sea area is open for fishing, but the LTTE terrorists still resort to the crime of killing civilians".

In a related development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that over the weekend, Members of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (COI) are scheduled to visit several locations in the Eastern Province including Muttur, where the killings of the 17 aid workers attached to the French NGO Action Contre La Faim took place in August last year.

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