Kandy Times

Central dams come under tight security

Police empower three-wheeler drivers to locate suspicious characters

By Christopher Kamalendran

Security has been tightened around all the major reservoirs in the Central Province in the wake of the escalating violence in the country, with the Army and the Navy detailed for security in these areas, a senior Police official said.

SSP Kandy Division E.N. Goonatilleke told The Kandy Times that several reservoirs including the Minipe, Randenigala and Victoria have been declared out-of-bounds to the public because of the heightened security in these places. The same limitations have been placed on the Kotmale and Mahaweli area reservoirs as well.

“There is round-the-clock security as well as mobile patrols to safeguard these places,” SSP Goonatilleke said.

The overall security in the central region too has been strengthened since the claymore mine attack last month that killed STF officer Upul Seneviratne at Digana.

Mr. Goonatilleke said that five new road blocks have been set up and three special units have been set up to carry out cordon and search operations in the area. During one such special operation, Police arrested two LTTE intelligence operatives who had arrived from Kilinochchi, SSP Gonnatilleke added.

“We have given instructions to the people to be extra vigilant and they have been very co-operative,” he added.

Other places where security has been tightened are the railway stations and the central bus stand.

In a bid to garner the support of three-wheeler drivers in enhancing security, special instructions were given on how to spot suspicious persons and report to the Police.

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