27 Tamil civilians arrested in Gampaha

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 November 2008, 16:09 GMT]
Twenty seven Tamil civilians, including upcountry and north and east residents, majority of them employed in business establishments and other institutions, were taken into custody in a cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the police from dusk of Monday dawn on Tuesday in the Gampaha town, according to police sources. The arrested are being held in the Gampaha police station for further inquiry as they failed to prove their identity and provide satisfactory reason for their stay in the location, police said.

41 persons were taken in for questioning during the operation.

14 of the arrested were Sinhala absconders who were avoiding arrest in traffic and illicit liquor cases, and all 14 were produced in court.