General shut down paralyzes Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 June 2006, 09:11 GMT]
The normal life in the Trincomalee town was completely disrupted following a general shut down observed Wednesday in response to an appeal by the Trincomalee District Tamil Resurgence Forum condemning the terror unleashed by the State armed forces on the innocent Tamil civilians in the North East and the militarization of the Trincomalee district civil administration by appointing retired army and navy personnel for the key civil posts such as the Governor of the North East Provincial Council and the District Government Agent, sources said.

Rear Admiral (Rtd) Mohan Samarawickrema holds the post of NE Governor and Major General (Rtd) Ranjit Silva has been appoint Government Agent from June 1st, sources said.

Offices of the Trincomalee Urban Council (UC), North East Provincial Council, international and national non-governmental organizations, schools, branches of state and private sector banks, shops and markets, sources said.

Transport services to and from Trincomalee came to a standstill as passengers did not turn at bus terminals. Roads were deserted without civilian movement, sources said.

Security of the town was beefed up by deploying more soldiers of the Sri Lanka Navy at strategic points in the east port town, sources said.

Meanwhile four Tamil speaking public servants were arrested Tuesday evening by the SLA soldiers for allegedly possessing pamphlets announcing the Wednesday general shut down call and they were later handed over to the Trincomalee Police for further action, sources said.