Batticaloa News in Brief

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 July 2003, 17:07 GMT]
LTTE Senior Commander Karuna meets Tamil activists, Sathurukondan residents undergo security checks and LTTE to open Eastern Police Head Quarters in Kokkadichcholai.

Karuna meets Tamil activists

Senior Commander of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Col.Karuna, met with supporters and activists from the Batticaloa district at the Meenaham Guest House Sunday, sources in Batticaloa said.

Discussions centered on the future plans for the Batticaloa deistrict development, whether the basic necessities of people of the district are met, Education in the district and the prospects for economic advancement of the district, sources attending the discussions said.

More than 200 Batticaloa supporters and activists participated in the sessions.

Police conduct search on Sathurukondan residents

Sri Lanka Police Saturday conducted searches on civilians passing along the main road in Sathurukondan in Batticaloa district between 9am and 4 pm, sources said.

Passengers in vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians were subjected to the search, security sources added. Belongings of the passengers and Identity cards were thoroughly checked, according to sources.

Meanwhile, searches were also conducted in Morakottanchenai and Pethalai, sources said.

Political observers in the East say that there is notable increase in the harassment to the public by the security forces.

Regional Tamileelam Police Head Office to be opened in Kokkadicholai

Gangai Alahan, Head of the Tamil Eelam police force of the Eastern region, said that the LTTE is planning to open its regional Head Quarters in Kokkadicholai, sources said.

Discussions to educate the public on the legal aspects of Tamil Eelam police are being held at village level and soon these will be introduced to school students, the LTTE official said.

He added that the LTTE is also planning to open two additional Tamileelam Police stations in Karadiyanaaru and Vakarai areas.